Extraordinary footage emerged this week showing a small boat packed with migrants running aground on a sandbank on a French beach, with reports from journalists on the scene indicating that French authorities did not intervene to prevent those on board from continuing their journey towards the United Kingdom.
The incident occurred at Neufchatel-Hardelot, near Boulogne, early Thursday morning when the dinghy, estimated to be carrying around 80 passengers, became stranded in shallow water. Journalist Christian Drogan, who witnessed the event, stated that the boat was stuck in approximately two feet of water on the sandbar.
New Prime Minister Andy Burnham had recently defended his government's handling of the Channel crisis, asserting that statistics indicate "the plan is working." However, video evidence from the beach appeared to contradict this claim, showing French authorities not preventing the boat from eventually re-launching and setting off for the Kent coast.
Drogan described a chaotic scene on the beach, with migrants shouting and fighting amongst themselves over how to dislodge the boat. He reported witnessing one migrant being forcibly thrown into the water. "With the boat stuck in the sand, it would have been totally safe for the French authorities to puncture it," Drogan said. "All the passengers would have been safe. Instead they did what they almost always do - nothing."
The vessel involved was described as one of the newer, larger "super dinghies" capable of carrying over 100 people. The beach, a popular spot for swimmers and bathers during the day, was reportedly occupied by migrants waiting for nightfall to approach the shore.
During the commotion on the beach, at least one migrant was injured. Paramedics were observed attempting resuscitation by moonlight. A French naval vessel was also present in the background. Simultaneously, a helicopter with a searchlight was reportedly in the vicinity, though its light was inadvertently illuminating the area where migrants were heading towards Britain.
The Conservatives' shadow home office minister Chris Philp, who has been on the French coast, reported being told by a French officer that they had orders not to intervene to stop the boats. Figures indicate that each Channel migrant costs the British taxpayer approximately £40,000 during their first year in the UK, with many remaining dependent on state support for years.
This incident followed a day where over 700 migrants reportedly landed in the UK, prompting the prime minister's statement regarding the effectiveness of current policies.