The recent tragedy off the northern coast of France, where 12 migrants, including six children and a pregnant woman, lost their lives while attempting to cross the English Channel, has reignited tensions between France and the UK. The sinking of the overcrowded boat near Boulogne has left local officials and residents deeply shaken, highlighting the ongoing crisis that has plagued the region for years.

In the immediate aftermath, French officials, including Boulogne’s Mayor Frédéric Cuvillier, expressed sorrow over the incident, emphasizing the devastating impact the crisis has had on France’s northern coastline. While the UK has focused on condemning the smuggling gangs responsible for such crossings, the French perspective increasingly places the blame on Britain.

French authorities have ramped up coastal patrols, bolstered by resources funded by British taxpayers, in an effort to curb the migrant crossings. However, these efforts have only led to the smugglers adopting more dangerous tactics, such as launching boats from inland canals or further down the coast, resulting in longer and more perilous journeys. The smugglers, driven by profit, continue to pack migrants into flimsy boats far beyond their capacity, exacerbating the risks.

France’s Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin has called for a new migrant treaty between Britain and the European Union, arguing that the UK’s loosely regulated job market acts as a magnet for migrants from war-torn countries like Eritrea, Sudan, and Afghanistan. He pointed out that the demand for work in Britain, rather than the actions of criminal networks alone, fuels this crisis.

While the small boat crisis remains a significant issue in the UK, it has become a more muted topic in France, overshadowed by domestic political challenges. For many in northern France, the belief persists that this crisis is a problem of Britain’s making, one that has transformed and burdened their communities for decades.