A deadly shooting near a migrant camp in northern France has claimed the life of one person and injured five others, including a child, according to local authorities. The incident happened on Saturday near the Loon-Plage camp outside Dunkirk, an area where many migrants gather in hopes of crossing the English Channel to reach the UK.
Charlotte Huet, the prosecutor for the northern French city, confirmed that two people were seriously injured and three others had minor wounds. One of those lightly wounded is a child. Police have arrested two individuals, one adult and a 17-year-old. Their nationalities have not yet been confirmed.
The Loon-Plage area is known for housing large numbers of migrants—over 1,500 people live in and around the camp, according to aid workers on the ground. Most are hoping to make the dangerous journey across the Channel in small boats, often putting their lives in the hands of smugglers.
Violence near camps is not unusual, as tensions rise among groups waiting to travel or fighting for space and resources. This latest shooting highlights growing dangers faced by migrants even before they attempt the risky sea crossing.
Meanwhile, French maritime authorities reported that they rescued 99 people in the past two days alone. The migrants were found in overcrowded dinghies, some taking on water, drifting, or at risk of capsizing. These boats are often unsafe and are used by smuggling gangs who charge desperate people high fees for the trip to England.
On Friday, British officials said 919 people arrived in the UK in 14 small boats, while 52 people landed on the English coast on Thursday in a single vessel. These numbers show that despite efforts to stop the crossings, the crisis is growing.
Since the beginning of this year, at least 15 migrants have died at sea trying to reach England, French officials confirmed. Last year, over 36,800 people crossed the Channel, which was a 25% rise compared to 2023. In 2024, a record 78 migrants died while trying to make the journey—more than in any previous year since the trend began in 2018.
Both the French and UK governments have pledged to work together to stop human smuggling and improve border control. But with more people arriving each week and violence now spreading within the camps, the crisis shows no sign of slowing down.