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

For the first time, France intercepted a migrant boat on water; This sparked hopes that Paris would eventually stop more boats. French officers intercepted the so-called taxi boat in the Aa canal at Gravelines after admitting that the smugglers’ tactics were highly successful. Official documents revealed that 81% of taxi boats were successful last year.

France has vowed to start catching migrant smugglers after a surge in Channel crossings last year. However, officers complained that the water was too cold and lacked training. In a photo taken on Saturday, suspected human smugglers were seen on an inflatable boat next to a police boat.

The number of migrants successfully crossing the channel increased from 36,566 to 41,472 in 2024.

Nearly 1,000 refugees passed through this year and 275 people were picked up by four boats.

Under the terms of engagement, gendarmes will only intervene to stop “taxi boats” before they pick up migrants, and not when they are fully charged.

This appears to be the procedure used in Saturday’s operation.