Dinghies at dawn and a determination to arrive: on the French coast waiting to cross to UK

Around Gravelines and Dunkirk there is danger, profound squalor and a human spirit that overpowers the politics

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It is 5.45am, the dawn light strengthening. A large inflatable dinghy carrying 20 or more people has come discreetly to the east end of the beach at Gravelines. Though it looks packed from the shore, it is perhaps only two-thirds full, according to regular observers. Each person on it wears a fluorescent lifejacket, soon to embark on a risky crossing from France to the UK.