A migrant in an inflatable boat sailing down a river in France shouted, “This is for Rishi Sunak,” before picking up more people from a beach near Calais and crossing the English Channel. The scene was captured on video as a group of migrants made their way to the crowded boat in Gravelines on Monday morning.
This incident comes on the heels of another migrant dying while attempting to make the journey to the UK. Men, women, and young children, some wearing life jackets, could be seen walking across the beach and wading into the water to board the boat. Police patrolled the area, and volunteers from refugee charity Utopia 56 were also on the scene to assist and monitor the situation.
A volunteer named Pablo Eymard-Picollec mentioned that some families turned back from the crowded boat, possibly due to the perceived risks involved. The French coastguard rescued 34 migrants and unfortunately, one person died when a boat encountered difficulties overnight.
Another volunteer from Utopia 56 expressed concerns about the increasing dangers faced by migrants due to the militarization of the border by the police. They observed that more people are now attempting to cross in a single boat, leading to higher risks. The charity patrol group reported seeing four boats leaving the French coast on Monday morning.
This incident is part of a larger trend, with over 16,000 migrants having made the journey across the English Channel so far this year. Just over the weekend, 370 people arrived in six boats. The situation highlights the challenges faced by migrants seeking to reach the UK and the risks they undertake in the process.
