Sports equipment retailer Decathlon will no longer sell canoes in the north France To prevent immigrants from trying to use them to cross to England.
When the news was announced on Tuesday, hundreds of people crossed the English Channel by boat, and the British search and rescue forces had a busy day. There have been multiple landings on the Kent coastline, including about 60 people landing in Dungeness shortly before 4pm.
On Friday, it was reported that three migrants disappeared after trying to cross the English Channel to Britain in a canoe. Two canoes were found near Calais on Thursday, and the two were fished out of the water.
The Ministry of the Interior said that 1,185 people arrived by boat on Thursday, setting a record for the current immigration crisis and surpassing the historical high of 853 people set earlier this month.
Canoes will continue to be sold online and in other stores. Other safety equipment, such as life jackets and thermal protection devices, will still be sold in Calais and Grande-Synthe stores.
The retailer told AFP that “in view of the current situation”, the Decathlon stores of Grande Synthesizers near Calais and Dunkirk “will no longer be able to buy canoes”.
It said that these items were not used for its original movement purpose, but “can be used to cross the strait.” Retailers believe that in this case, “people’s lives will be threatened.”
Decathlon stated that the store itself has decided to stop selling canoes, and the management has approved the decision.
Earlier on Tuesday, French police cleared a major immigration camp where there were about a thousand people hoping to reach the UK. There is tension between London and Paris at the crossing of the straits.
French Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin talks with British colleague Priti PatelOn Monday, but only after an outspoken interview, he said that Britain should “stop using us as a blowball for their domestic politics”.
