France: 60 Migrants Violently Attack Duck Hunters and 3-Year-Old, Decapitate Duck, Smash Cars, and Steal Belongings

Tardinghen, France – A night of terror unfolded on the Opal Coast as three duck hunters and a 3-year-old child were violently attacked by an army of approximately sixty illegal migrants while lying in wait in their hunting hut. The incident occurred between Saturday night, September 14, and Sunday morning, September 15, 2024, in the Tardinghen marsh, escalating into a brutal confrontation that left the hunters barricaded in their shelter, fearing for their lives.

The migrants, reportedly enraged after being blocked by police in their attempt to cross the Channel to England, directed their fury at the hunters. Realizing that the hunters had alerted authorities, the group launched an assault on the hut. Armed with iron bars and a machete, they destroyed the windshields of the hunters’ vehicles, stole their belongings, and decapitated a decoy duck in a shocking act of rage.

Willy Schraen, president of the National Hunters’ Federation, expressed deep concern about the escalating violence. “I fear that a real tragedy will occur soon,” Schraen said, adding that this attack is one of several similar incidents that have plagued the northern French coast since this summer. Tensions continue to rise as local residents and migrants clash, with the latter attempting to cross the Channel at all costs.

The hunters, who were accompanied by a young child, faced hours of terror as the migrants repeatedly assaulted the shelter. Despite the onslaught, the door of the hut managed to withstand the attack until gendarmes [police] arrived in the early hours of the morning, rescuing the hunters and the 3-year-old child. Fortunately, the young boy appeared unaware of the full gravity of the situation, though the attack left the hunters deeply shaken.

Schraen commended the hunters for their restraint in the face of overwhelming aggression. “I am proud of my hunters. They face extremely violent migrants who destroy their property, yet they do not overreact, even though they are armed,” he remarked.

He also highlighted hunters’ critical role in alerting authorities when they witness migrant activities. “When we see women, children, and babies being sent to their deaths on these boats, it is our responsibility to notify the police. But when we prevent them from setting sail, the migrants retaliate,” Schraen explained.

This incident highlights the urgent need for stronger action to address the growing crisis along France’s northern coast. Schraen called on authorities to find solutions to control migratory flows before a tragedy occurs. “The violence is escalating, and we must act now to prevent a fatal incident involving hunters or other innocent people,” he warned.

Authorities are investigating the attack, but with the increasing frequency of such violent encounters, local residents and hunters are becoming more fearful. As the situation at the Channel crossing becomes more desperate for those seeking to reach the UK, the threat of future confrontations looms large.