France lastly intercepts a migrant boat – after years of crossings | Politics | News | EUROtoday

France has intercepted a migrant dinghy within the water for the primary time – sparking hopes Paris will lastly cease extra boats. French officers caught a so-called taxi boat on the Aa canal in Gravelines after admitting the smugglers’ ways have been massively profitable. Official paperwork revealed 81% of taxi-boats have been profitable final yr.

France vowed to start out intercepting migrant smugglers after a surge in Channel crossings final yr. But officers complained the water was too chilly and that they lacked coaching. And {a photograph} – taken on Saturday – confirmed suspected folks smugglers on an inflatable dinghy with police boat alongside.

The variety of migrants who efficiently crossed the Channel surged from 36,566 in 2024 to 41,472.

Almost 1,000 asylum seekers have already crossed this yr, with some 275 picked up on 4 boats.

Under the phrases of engagement, gendarmes will solely intervene to cease “taxi-boats” earlier than they tackle migrants – and never when they’re totally charged.

This appears to have been the process utilized in Saturday’s operation.