'I want UK': On the beach with migrants determined to cross Channel to UK • FRANCE 24 Engl

Warm weather and calm seas have meant the number of migrants attempting the crossing from northern France to the UK has risen sharply in recent days. Our reporters were on the beach, early in the morning, in Gravelines near Calais as a group of migrants tried, and failed, to board a small boat. They stood on the shoreline and watched as the already overcrowded boat disappeared into the distance. Migrants who spoke to FRANCE 24 said they were from Somalia, Sudan, Eritrea and Uganda and intended to try the crossing again.

The day FRANCE 24 filmed, on June 18 2026, the UK Home Office recorded that 392 migrants had reached the UK in small boats. So far this year, 11,054 have managed to do so. That’s a drop compared to last year, as the British and French governments continue to work together to try to bring the number down further. In April this year, the UK agreed to provide 767 million euros to France over the next three years to reinforce policing along the coastline. 

But our reporters found that migrants, when they arrive in northern France, have often already crossed several different borders and are determined to make the crossing, to what they believe will be a better life in the UK. Many are willing to try over and over again until they make the crossing. 
#migrants #UK #France

🔔 Subscribe to France 24 now: https://f24.my/YTen
🔴 LIVE - Watch FRANCE 24 English 24/7 here: https://f24.my/YTliveEN

🌍 Read the latest International News and Top Stories: https://www.france24.com/en/

Like us on Facebook: https://f24.my/FBen
Follow us on X: https://f24.my/Xen
Bluesky: https://f24.my/BSen and Threads: https://f24.my/THen
Browse the news in pictures on Instagram: https://f24.my/IGen
Discover our TikTok videos: https://f24.my/TKen
Get the latest top stories on Telegram: https://f24.my/TGen