Gravelines
Coverage of Gravelines in the Nexus archive.
- FRANCE-UK: On the beach as migrants try to cross the Channel
Warm weather and calm seas have increased migrant crossings from northern France to the UK. Migrants from Somalia, Sudan, Eritrea, Nigeria, and Uganda attempted but failed to board a small boat near Gravelines. On June 18, 2026, 392 migrants reached the UK in small boats, with 10,244 recorded so far this year.
- On the beach with migrants determined to cross Channel to UK
Sunny weather and calm seas have led to a surge in migrant crossings from northern France to the UK via small boats. The UK has pledged 767 million euros to France over three years to bolster coastal policing, but migrants continue to attempt the journey, having already traversed multiple borders in pursuit of a better life in the UK.
- France pushes for EU action on Channel migrant crossings
France is urging the European Union to take action on migrant crossings through the English Channel. Migrants attempted to board an inflatable dinghy on the beach of Petit-Fort-Philippe in Gravelines, near Calais, to reach Britain.