Fury as group of migrants ‘flee to UK on dinghy’ after ‘brutally’ killing man in ‘fierce’ row on French beach

A GROUP of migrants are feared to have fled across the Channel to the UK soon after stabbing a man to death on a French beach. Last night politicians said it was “shocking” that suspected murderers may have arrived here on a small boat just hours after the fatal attack. A group of migrants are suspected to have fled to the UK on a dinghy after stabbing a man to death (stock image) Credit: French Sea Rescue Services. The attack took place on a French beach with authorities attempting to identify the undocumented male victim (stock image) Credit: Chris Eades Police launched an investigation after a body was found on Terminus Beach, in the popular seaside resort of Berck-sur-Mer, on Thursday. Witnesses say the victim, believed to be in his 20s, was set upon in dunes by other migrants. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! French authorities are trying to identify the male, who had no documents on him, and establish where he was originally from. The attack happened at dawn, shortly before a mega-dinghy set sail from the same beach with a record 165 migrants on board. That vessel was later escorted into Dover for its occupants to be processed. A French investigation source said: “There was a fierce argument, and fighting. A young man was stabbed by at least one attacker. “A knife was close to his dead body in the afternoon, many hours later. “By this time it is believed those responsible got on a boat and escaped to England.” Most read in The Sun The attack happened shortly before a mega-dinghy set sail from the same beach with a record 165 migrants on board (stock image) Credit: PA The victim was found dead in the dunes at the popular seaside resort of Berck-sur-Mer It is understood police forces here have been alerted, with the National Crime Agency liaising with French cops. An NCA spokesman said yesterday: “We are aware of an incident on Thursday, July 23, in which an individual died in French waters. “French partners are leading the investigation into the circumstances.” News of the murder and the suspects’ reported escape to Britain last night sparked outrage. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “It is shocking that suspected murderers are now believed to have entered the UK on a small boat. “This shows the kind of dangerous illegal immigrants the Labour Government is letting into our country daily.” Reform UK leader Nigel Farage added: “I’ve warned for years of the dangers of allowing young men to enter Britain illegally without basic checks proving who they are or where they’re from. “This deeply troubling case shows exactly why I’ve been so concerned and why millions of our citizens are equally worried. “Andy Burnham’s been Prime Minister for less than a week and already an estimated 880 people have arrived in Britain illegally by boat. Rapists, terrorists and murderers are probably among them.” The crime scene lies on a 7.5-mile stretch of sand 50 miles along the coast west of Calais. Prosecutors in nearby Boulogne-sur-Mer have opened a judicial inquiry, but have not released further details for operational reasons. One source said: “The victim suffered brutal injuries.” French cops were already in the area at the time of the attack, unsuccessfully trying to prevent migrants from travelling. Reform UK’s Nigel Farage says the latest incident backs up years of warnings he has issued Credit: Alamy Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp says it is ‘shocking’ that a suspected murderer has arrived in the UK by small boat Credit: Getty At around 6am, a 13-metre long boat — the same as a bus — overloaded with 165 migrants set off from Terminus Beach. The inflatable vessel had a puncture and was letting in water, but was still escorted by two French rescue boats, with lifejackets handed out. At least two other packed vessels crossed the Channel that day, taking advantage of the calm conditions. More than 500 migrants made the trip on Wednesday and Thursday alone, during Mr Burnham’s first week in office. He has come under fire for failing to mention the immigration crisis since becoming PM. So far this year, just over 13,000 people are known to have crossed the Channel on small boats to claim asylum in the UK. Retired Met Police Detective Chief Inspector Mick Neville last night said: “This case demonstrates how the small boats crisis has become a big crime problem. The authorities simply do not know who is entering Britain.” He went on: “The police are already overwhelmed and cannot deal with the current levels of crime. “Their time should be spent trying to catch our own murderers without the additional job of pursuing killers who have committed brutal crimes in France.” In April, another murder investigation was opened in France after an Eritrean man was stabbed to death in Calais during a fight between UK-bound migrants. Another murder inquiry was launched in July 2025 after a man was shot seven times by suspected people smugglers in Loon-Plage, on the outskirts of Dunkirk. In June, a Sudanese man was shot dead and a mother and child wounded in the same camp. A man and a 17-year-old linked to a people-smuggling gang were later arrested. They are currently on remand, after being charged with “murder and attempted murder by an organised gang”. All of the previous violence was said to be connected to people smugglers “settling scores” against those who do not pay them. The cost of a single voyage to Britain in a small boat is between £1,500 and £5,000 in cash. A TEENAGER was yesterday charged with endangering life at sea by allegedly piloting the mega-dinghy with 165 migrants on board. Chan Mathok Atak, 19, from South Sudan, will appear tomorrow at Margate magistrates’ court, Kent.