Migrants avoid Calais route after 3 Channel deaths

A group of people thought to be migrants walk through Gravelines in France (Gareth Fuller/PA) Gareth Fuller

Migrants chose an unusually long route across the English Channel on Monday, departing from France's west coast rather than the typical departure points near Calais. A large black dinghy was spotted setting off from a beach near Saint-Quentin-en-Tourmont, escorted by two French vessels as it made its way to sea.

The longer crossing comes after three people died during small boat attempts over the weekend. The alternative route significantly increases the distance to reach Dover compared to the standard Calais departure points.

Weekend deaths prompt route change

A teenager and two women lost their lives trying to make the Channel crossing over the weekend, according to local media reports. The two women, reported to be from Somalia, are thought to have died after approximately 100 people departed northern France for the UK in a makeshift boat overnight from Friday into Saturday.

Investigations continue into the teenager's death, which occurred early Sunday at Ecault beach in Saint-Etienne-au-Mont. The fatalities highlight the ongoing dangers of the crossing attempts.

Monday's departure preparations

Early Monday morning, a group of men and teenagers wearing coats, blankets and orange life vests were seen walking hurriedly through Gravelines streets near Calais. French Police Nationale waited nearby with riot shields and tear gas canisters.

Despite the preparations, no small boats actually launched from Gravelines beach on Monday. The police presence suggests authorities were anticipating departure attempts from the traditional route.

Record crossing numbers continue

Migrant arrivals on small boats have exceeded 33,000 in 2025 so far, marking a record for this point in the year since Channel crossing data was first recorded in 2018. The weekend alone saw 1,298 people arrive across 19 boats on Saturday and Sunday combined.

Small boat crossings represented four per cent of overall UK immigration in 2024, but accounted for more than 80 per cent of unauthorised arrivals. The figures underscore the continued significance of Channel crossings in unauthorised migration patterns.

Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.