Five migrants were rescued from a dinghy and taken to the quay in Boulogne last night after a failed attempt to cross the English Channel.
The prefecture noted that the passengers, determined to reach the United Kingdom, declined assistance from French authorities until their situation became critical. It added that the boats were structurally fragile and overcrowded, so authorities chose not to force them onto state rescue vessels to avoid further danger.
The incident comes amid a surge in small‑boat crossings that has drawn heightened attention following a crisis in the Spanish territory of Ceuta.
In response, a shadow home secretary visited the Channel area and a plan was announced to deploy Royal Navy vessels to return migrants to France.
Official figures show that more than 2,000 people have entered the UK via small boats since the new prime minister took office, with a total of just over 14,500 arrivals so far—down 43% from the 25,400 recorded at the same point last year.
The prime minister said progress was being made but cautioned against complacency, emphasizing a relentless approach to reducing the number of crossings.
