The victim was found dead on a beach in Berck-sur-Mer before a 'mega dinghy' crossed the Channel from the same stretch of coastline

Suspected killers are believed to have fled to Britain aboard a small boat just hours after a young man was fatally stabbed on a French beach.

The victim, believed to be in his 20s, was found dead on Terminus Beach in the seaside town of Berck-sur-Mer on Thursday morning.

Witnesses reportedly saw him attacked by fellow migrants among the dunes at dawn.

French authorities have so far been unable to identify the victim, who was carrying no identification documents.

The killing took place shortly before a record-breaking "mega dinghy" carrying 165 migrants launched from the same stretch of beach bound for Britain, raising fears those responsible may now be on UK soil, according to The Sun.

The newspaper, citing a French investigation source, reported the fatal stabbing followed a violent altercation.

"There was a fierce argument, and fighting. A young man was stabbed by at least one attacker," the source said.

The victim's body reportedly lay undiscovered for several hours.

"A knife was close to his dead body in the afternoon, many hours later," the source added.

One person familiar with the investigation described the injuries as "brutal".

Investigators are said to believe his killers already boarded one of the migrant boats heading for Britain by the time the body was discovered.

"By this time it is believed those responsible got on a boat and escaped to England," the source said.

MIGRANT CRISIS - READ THE LATEST:

French police are said to have been attempting to prevent migrants from launching boats from the area earlier that morning.

The 13-metre inflatable dinghy, comparable in length to a bus, had suffered a puncture and was taking on water before leaving the beach with 165 people on board.

French rescue vessels shadowed the boat across the Channel, handing out lifejackets before it was escorted into Dover, where all those on board were brought ashore for processing.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) confirmed it was aware of the incident.

A spokesman said: "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."

British police forces are understood to have been placed on alert, with the NCA co-ordinating with its French counterparts.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: "It is shocking that suspected murderers are now believed to have entered the UK on a small boat.

"This shows the kind of dangerous illegal immigrants the Labour Government is letting into our country daily."

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: "I've warned for years of the dangers of allowing young men to enter Britain illegally without basic checks proving who they are or where they're from.

"Andy Burnham's been Prime Minister for less than a week and already an estimated 880 people have arrived in Britain illegally by boat. Rapists, terrorists and murderers are probably among them."

He described the reports as "deeply troubling", saying they reflected widespread public concern over unchecked Channel crossings.