Hunt for UK-bound small boat migrants in 'murder' probe after man in his 20s was killed on French beach

Published: 00:04, 26 July 2026 | Updated: 00:16, 26 July 2026 A search is under way to find a group of migrants after a man in his 20s was stabbed to death on a French beach.  French police launched an investigation after a body was found on Terminus Beach, in the popular seaside resort of Berck-sur-Mer on Thursday. Witnesses reported the victim had been attacked by other migrants on the sand dunes at dawn.  It is feared that the suspected murderers fled across the Channel to the UK by small boat soon after.  That same day, at 6am, a small boat set sail from the same beach carrying 165 migrants. The vessel was later escorted into Dover for its occupants to be processed.  The National Crime Agency is liaising with French police following the incident.  A spokesperson for the NCA told the Daily Mail: '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'. Pictured: Berck-sur-Mer beach in northern France where a man was killed on Thursday It emerged more than 500 small-boat migrants arrived in Burnham's first week, with sources claiming one 'mega dinghy' was 12m long and carried 165 people (stock image) While the number of arrivals so far this year – more than 13,000 – is over 40 per cent down on last year, experts believe crossings could go up again The Home Office declined to comment on the incident.  French authorities are trying to identify the victim, who had no documents on him.  A French investigative source told the Sun: '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.'  The incident happened along a 7.5-mile stretch of sand in the commune of Berck-sur-Mer, which sits within Calais.  Police were reportedly already in the area attempting to prevent migrants from crossing the Channel.   More than 500 migrants crossed the channel on Wednesday and Thursday alone during Andy Burnham's first week as prime minister.  Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. On Wednesday, 172 migrants entered the UK on three boats, while on Thursday 366 crossed the Channel - with a record 165 people on board just one boat.  More than 77,000 migrants have arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel since Labour’s election victory in July 2024.  Since records began in 2018, more than 200,000 have arrived.  While the number of arrivals so far this year – more than 13,000 – is over 40 per cent down on last year's figures, experts believe crossings could go up again. Wednesday’s crossings were the first recorded since July 10, which experts said was partly because of windy weather and choppier waters.  On Saturday, a teenager was charged with piloting a small boat crossing from France to the UK.  Sudanese national Chan Mathok Atak, 19, was accused of endangering another during a journey by sea to the UK on Thursday.  Atak, from South Sudan, has been remanded in custody and will appear at Margate Magistrates' Court on Monday, the National Crime Agency said.  Mr Burnham has so far stayed quiet on border policy, despite it topping a string of recent voter polls.  Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: 'More illegal immigrants crossed the Channel under Keir Starmer than under any other Prime Minister. 'And now we've had a terrible start with Burnham's boats and the largest ever migrant dingy crossing yesterday with 165 illegal immigrants on it. 'Illegal immigrant crossings continue to define Labour - because they refuse to take the action needed to stop it. 'Only the Conservative Party has a plan to end Channel crossings by leaving the European Convention of Human Rights and deporting all illegal immigrants within a week of arrival.' A Home Office spokesman said yesterday: 'Removals of small-boat migrants are at record levels and asylum claims down by 12 per cent.'  Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.