As the sun rose over northern France, the usually quiet shores near Calais became a chaotic battleground.
Migrants desperate to reach the UK faced off with French police in a dramatic scene filled with tension, shouting, and clouds of tear gas.
Tear Gas Clouds the Coastline as Migrants Make Their Move
On the beach at Gravelines, just a few miles from Calais, around 200 migrants made a bold attempt to reach the water and set out for Britain.
More than 50 officers tried to push them back, deploying tear gas to scatter the crowd.
Despite their efforts, many migrants, including women and a man on crutches, managed to break through and reach the shoreline.
They stood defiantly in the surf—some ankle-deep, others up to their thighs—waiting for the small dinghies that have become their ticket across the Channel.
Officers remained nearby but didn’t intervene further, restricted by rules that prevent them from making arrests once people are in the sea, no matter how shallow.
The “Taxi Boat” Arrives Amid Cheers of “England! England!”
The small inflatable boat the migrants were waiting for—referred to as a “taxi boat”—eventually approached.
As it neared the groups, chants of “England! England!” rang out.
Just weeks ago, this kind of journey cost migrants around £1,500, but now the going rate has dropped dramatically to around £250.
A police officer, who spoke anonymously, revealed that the boat had first been spotted around 5:30 a.m. inland, quietly making its way through a water channel toward the beach.
Police initially managed to scatter a crowd with tear gas and video footage even showed their success.
But the boat simply carried on, slowly drifting to the coastline near the towering Gravelines nuclear power station.
Police Try Again but Are Outnumbered and Outflanked
As the boat cruised along the massive beach, officers repositioned, hoping to block more migrants from reaching the sand.
Tear gas canisters were launched once more, but it wasn’t enough.
One group after another—first about 40, then more—darted through gaps in the police formation, easily outmaneuvering them.
Eventually, the beach was dotted with groups of migrants spaced out over nearly half a mile, all standing in the shallow surf.
Most of the police stood far back, stationed among the dunes.
Only a few ventured closer, acting more like observers than enforcers.
Dinghy Picks Up Passengers While Authorities Watch
With a French coastguard boat nearby, along with other government vessels farther out at sea, the taxi boat didn’t rush.
It circled for a while, staying within earshot of the authorities, who did nothing to stop it.
One by one, the groups began boarding.
Migrants cheered and celebrated as they climbed aboard—even as the boat looked dangerously overcrowded.
The boat skipped picking up one group of 18, including three women, apparently judging it too risky.
Then, it slowly motored away—still under the silent gaze of the coastguard.
Police Admit Defeat but Say Their Hands Are Tied
A French officer admitted that the whole operation felt like a losing battle.
He said the coastguard’s only role is to ensure migrants don’t drown.
“We ask if they need help,” he explained.
“They always say no… until they’re in British waters. Then, suddenly, it’s ‘yes’ so they can be rescued and brought to shore.”
He added that despite their efforts, it’s nearly impossible to stop these crossings completely.
“We can’t place a police officer every meter along the entire northern coastline,” he said, sounding frustrated but resigned.
Numbers Keep Climbing Despite Promises to Crack Down
That morning alone, over 900 people successfully crossed the Channel in small boats, according to new figures from the UK Home Office.
Fourteen boats were involved, bringing the total number of arrivals for the year to more than 16,000—a 42% increase compared to the same time last year and a massive 79% jump from 2023.
And yet, this wasn’t even the worst day this year.
On May 31, a staggering 1,195 migrants made the journey in a single day. Last year’s total crossings were close to 37,000.
Political Promises Fall Flat as Crossings Continue
These scenes play out as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer insists Britain is leading the world in the fight against illegal migration.
At the G7 summit in Canada, he spoke confidently about travel bans and asset freezes aimed at people-smuggling networks.
He even held direct talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and reportedly emphasized the UK’s “world-leading” approach to tackling smugglers.
But back on the beaches of France, the reality is much more complex.
Smuggling networks are still thriving, and French police seem powerless to stop them.
What Lies Ahead?
With crossings reaching record highs, smuggling tactics evolving, and authorities on both sides of the Channel appearing overwhelmed, the crisis shows no sign of slowing.
Despite political declarations and law enforcement crackdowns, the sheer number of migrants willing to risk everything continues to rise.
What happens next depends on whether international cooperation and new policies can finally outpace the determination of those chasing a better life—and the smugglers profiting from their desperation.