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In a striking scene off Ecault Beach, south of Boulogne, French police waded into shallow waters to slash an inflatable "taxi-boat" carrying dozens of migrants, including women and children, attempting to cross the English Channel to the UK. The boat, struggling in rough waves with a faltering engine, prompted a rare intervention by gendarmes, who typically avoid entering the water due to strict safety protocols.
The chaotic incident unfolded as two large groups, totaling around 80 to 100 people, emerged from nearby dunes, clad in orange life jackets, and rushed toward the sea. A first boat, already full, sped past without stopping, leaving a second, nearly empty vessel to approach the shore. As dozens scrambled aboard in waist-deep water, the situation grew perilous, with children at risk of being crushed amid the lurching boat and breaking waves. Initially, police observed from the shore, citing rules that prohibit water interventions unless lives are at immediate risk. However, as the situation deteriorated, officers removed their body armour, drew knives, and waded in to disable the boat. Amid shouts of frustration from those onboard, the craft was slashed and dragged ashore. A young girl, caught in the scrum near the engine, was among those safely rescued. Migrants later collected scattered belongings and headed inland toward nearby villages and migrant camps. French authorities clarified to the BBC that this was not a shift in tactics, despite speculation fueled by pressure to curb the rising number of Channel crossings. The focus remains on using patrol boats to intercept vessels at sea before they are fully loaded, rather than aggressive beach interventions. A UK government spokesman called the action "a significant moment," welcoming tougher measures and ongoing cooperation with French police. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges of the migrant crisis in the Channel, with record numbers, including 70 lone children arriving in the UK on small boats in a single day this week, according to Kent authorities.
