Two Sudanese migrants have been shot dead and five others injured following a series of violent incidents at a makeshift migrant camp near Dunkirk, northern France, over the weekend.
French authorities confirmed the fatalities occurred at Loon Plage, a known staging area for migrants hoping to reach the UK. One of the victims was killed near a food distribution point, while the other died inside the camp.
According to police, all victims are Sudanese nationals, including a woman and a two-year-old child who were among the five wounded. Two suspects — a 29-year-old Iraqi man and a 16-year-old Afghan male — have been arrested in connection with the attacks.
Growing Violence Amid Surging Migrant Arrivals
The violence comes amid increasing tensions within camps like Loon Plage, which is currently home to an estimated 1,500 people, many of whom are women and children. French charity Utopia 56 reported that tensions have intensified in recent weeks, citing limited resources and poor living conditions.
French police have described the violence as unprecedented in scale, involving shootings and hammer attacks across several areas of the camp.
UK Politicians Respond as Channel Crossings Surge
Reacting to the reports, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage condemned the escalating violence, stating:
“There have been shootings and hammer attacks at migrant camps in northern France. Two dead and several wounded. The gangs are getting more dangerous by the day.”
Home Office officials reiterated the UK’s commitment to dismantling smuggling operations, with a spokesperson adding:
“People-smuggling gangs do not care if the vulnerable people they exploit live or die… we will stop at nothing to bring them to justice.”
Record Numbers Continue to Cross Channel
Despite increased French efforts to intervene, Channel crossings continue to rise, with over 16,700 migrants entering the UK illegally by boat in 2025 — a 42% increase from the same period in 2024.
On Friday, footage shared by GB News showed French police attempting to intercept small boats off the French coast — a rare public glimpse of cross-border enforcement. Still, 919 people crossed in 14 boats that same day, underscoring the ongoing scale of the crisis.
Migrant Crisis Deepens
The UK and France have both pledged to intensify enforcement against trafficking gangs. However, the violence in Loon Plage has prompted renewed scrutiny over the safety of migrants, especially those living in makeshift camps in Calais, Dunkirk, and nearby areas.
The French public prosecutor confirmed that an investigation is underway, and additional arrests may follow. Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies are calling for urgent measures to de-escalate violence and improve conditions in the camps.
