French authorities rescued 58 migrants, including nine minors, along the Normandy coast in the Dieppe region on Monday night and early Tuesday. The migrants, found in three separate groups, were taken into care by emergency workers and the Red Cross.
The first group, consisting of 29 people, including two minors, was discovered late Monday night near Greges, a seaside resort close to the port of Dieppe. According to Bertrand Arent, the mayor of Greges, a large lorry was used to transport the group, which included migrants from Afghanistan, Iraq, and Eritrea. The mayor provided them with water and biscuits while they waited for assistance from emergency services and the Red Cross. The authorities also checked the residence status of each migrant to determine the next steps.
A second group of five migrants was found in Dieppe later that same night, with one individual taken into custody. The following morning, a patrol spotted a third group of 24 migrants near Longroy, which included five children. These migrants also received care from emergency workers and the Red Cross.
The prefect of Seine-Maritime praised the rapid response of all involved in these operations and announced plans to increase patrols in the area to prevent similar situations and enhance their ability to respond quickly. The need for vigilance and a swift response is emphasized as more migrants attempt to cross the Channel from less monitored areas.
Despite increased surveillance efforts, migrant crossings from France to the UK have reached record highs in the first half of 2024. Many boats are now launching from areas farther south on the French coast, such as Dieppe, to avoid heavy patrols near Calais and Boulogne-sur-Mer. This shift has led to more extended and more dangerous journeys, with at least 25 migrants losing their lives this year, some due to overcrowded and suffocating conditions on dinghies.
The journey from Dieppe to the UK is over 130 kilometers, a challenging route made more difficult by the high cliffs surrounding the Normandy coast. The risks associated with these crossings continue to rise, despite efforts by both French and British authorities to monitor and manage the situation.