Watan-Violent clashes broke out between French riot police and a group of migrants early Friday morning in the northern coastal town of Gravelines, according to the British news agency PA Media.
Images and footage released by PA Media show a group of individuals throwing stones at police from a distance, while small fires were lit near a park in Gravelines.
The standoff, which lasted for about 20 minutes around 5:30 a.m. local time (03:30 GMT), involved several men — two of whom were seen wearing life vests — facing off against gendarmes and national police officers armed with shields, helmets, and tear gas canisters.
These clashes came shortly after migrants were seen running into the sea and boarding a boat from Gravelines beach on Thursday morning, likely in an attempt to cross the English Channel.
More than 22,500 people have already reached the UK by crossing the Channel in 2025, a record number for this time of year, underscoring the growing pressure on both French and British authorities amid an intensifying migration crisis.
Migrants clash with French riot police in Gravelines after a Channel crossing attempt. Over 22,500 migrants have arrived in the UK in 2025, setting a new record and intensifying pressure on border authorities.
-
-
-
-
-
-
