French navy officers refused to rescue 60 migrants from a sinking dinghy despite shadowing them just 1.3 miles from the French coast.
The French officials spent hours this morning following the packed boat across the Channel, reports the Daily Mail.
Migrants could be heard shouting "help" and waving their hands at the nearby French navy vessel.
Despite knowing the dinghy was taking on water, French authorities did not attempt to rescue the visibly distressed migrants.
At least five people are thought to have died attempting the crossing this year (file pic)
Getty/GB News
Instead, they radioed UK Border Force requesting assistance for the boat, which was filled mostly with men.
During the radio conversation, a French official informed British services that the boat was full of water with migrants waving their hands.
"Do you have a rib to clear the situation if possible?" the French navy asked.
Border Force replied: "Regarding sending our rib into French water. If possible, it would be preferred if you could launch your rib in your side and if there is any distress, we will come into French waters. But yeah, are you able to launch your rib over?"
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A Border Force vessel in the Channel was forced to step in (file pic)
GB NewsThe exchange occurred four hours after the French began following the dinghy at 5.50am, when it was spotted just over a mile from French shores.
The French did as requested and continued to escort the migrants further into the Channel.
Nine miles later, they handed over the migrants to a UK Border Force vessel, who returned them to Dover.
One witness described the incident: "This was a complete taxi service. The French said these migrants were distressed and needed help. But it didn't rescue them. Instead they asked Britain."
The witness added: "When Britain were not keen, the French simply escorted them even further into British water. It's appalling."
Another observer called it evidence of the French "not wanting to help the migrants and instead just making sure they get to Britain."
The incident comes amid a surge in Channel crossings, with 1,168 migrants arriving in the first four days of March alone.
This marks the first time more than 1,000 arrivals have been recorded in a four-day period this year, according to Home Office data.
The total number of migrants crossing so far this year has reached 3,224 - eight per cent higher than the same point last year.
It is also nine per cent up on 2023 figures and a 46 per cent jump compared with 2022.
At least five people are thought to have died attempting the crossing this year.
