The migrant’s body was discovered hanging in an area a little bit away from the camp, reported the French regional newspaper La Voix du Nord on Sunday (August 18).

The man’s identity is as yet unknown, but a preliminary investigation concluded that the man died by suicide.

No one knows what might have pushed this man to commit suicide, but the pro-migrant association Utopia 56, active in the area, underlined how difficult conditions are for migrants in the area waiting to cross the Channel towards the UK.

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Reports of gunshots turn out to be false

On August 15, the authorities were called to the migrant camp at Loon Plage, not far from the sea, because there had been reports of gunshots heard. However, according to the broadcaster France Info, on arrival, the authorities could not find anyone who had been hurt, or the existence of any firearms in the camp.

Later that day, according to La Voix du Nord, there were reports that a migrant had been shot by a bullet in the area around Loon Plage, but the reports “turned out to be false,” reported the newspaper.

At the end of July, a migrant was shot and killed in the camp. The report followed an operation to dismantle much of the camp on Tuesday (August 12), added La Voix du Nord, although the camp was reconstructed "almost immediately" the authorities left, added the newspaper.

Read AlsoMigrants killed in Loon-Plage: 'The camp's residents are terrified'

Drowned in a canal

Last week, a young migrant from South Sudan, reported to be about 22 years old, was found dead in a canal not far from a camp at Grande-Synthe, near the French port of Dunkirk, according to reports in the French press, including France 3.

Witnesses say that he fell in the water while trying to wash, said a coordinator for the association Utopia 56 at Grande-Synthe, Marie Chapelle.

Those nearby called the emergency services, but it was impossible to resuscitate the victim. The local prefecture told the French news agency Agence France Presse (AFP) that the fall was "accidental."

The organization Utopia 56 said that the young man had been living in various camps around Calais and Grande-Synthe for the past few weeks. There are around 300-400 people in the camp in Grande-Synthe at the moment, reported France 3.

There is no running water or proper facilities for migrants in the area. This is why, explained Marie Chapelle, some people were taking water from the canal, which is "very salty" as it is not far from the sea, or using it to wash in.

"This death could have been avoided," said Chapelle, "it is a symbol of the extreme survival conditions under which these people live. It was not someone swimming for fun."

Editor's note: If you have had suicidal thoughts, or are finding life difficult, there are associations who can help and support you, regardless of your immigration status. Please seek professional help.

In French hospitals and medical centers, there are often dedicated medical psychologists. You can also call the helpline Suicide Écoute in France on 0145394000 or SOS amité on 0972394050 (here the website states that you pay a flat fee to enter into communication but you do not pay for the duration of your call, however long that might take -- your telephone number will be invisible to those who listen to you and cannot be geolocalised) or Le Fil santé jeunes on an anonymous and free helpline 0800235236 which operates every day between 9 and 23 hours.

You can find information on where to find such help, no matter where you are in the world, at www.befrienders.org