Tensions have been high on a beach in northern France after police tried to stop a dinghy carrying illegal immigrants from setting off across the English Channel towards the United Kingdom.
Video footage shows men wearing life jackets throwing objects at officers in an attempt to keep them away from the raft. Security forces then used tear gas and a police officer stabbed the raft to prevent it from setting off.
This incident occurred at a time when France and the United Kingdom have strengthened their cooperation to limit the passage of migrants in small boats.
According to the French government, in the three months following the new agreement with the United Kingdom, worth a total of 660 million pounds, 185 attempts to cross the English Channel in small boats and dinghies were prevented.
These incidents include the prevention of departures, the confiscation of boats, engines and life jackets, as well as the arrest of persons suspected of involvement in illegal migrant smuggling networks. ©LAPSI.al
