Wacha1
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- Dec 21, 2009
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Calais in shutdown: Hundreds of migrants storm port and force their way onto Spirit of Britain ferry in desperate bid to reach UK
The problem of immigration is bigger than what many people think. It is not all migrants who fear their lives, but many are economic migrants. How can Africa manage its economic mingrants?
- Port of Calais in France closed after migrants storm the harbour and make it on to The Spirit of Britain ferry
- Around 100 migrants broke through police lines with 50 thought to have boarded P&O vessel
- It comes after 2,000-strong protest against living conditions in Calais turned chaotic after group broke police lines
- Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn visited the region earlier in the day to talk to migrants about their living conditions
The Port of Calais has been closed this evening after a storm of migrants broke into the harbour. More than 100 migrants stormed the site and some have even made it on to ferries in a desperate attempt to reach Britain. It came after a protest organised by French leftists to support migrants living in squalid conditions in the northern city of Calais drew around 2,000 people, according to organisers.
The Port of Calais has been closed after more than 100 migrants stormed the harbour,
pictured, in a bid to get to Britain
It followed a 2,000-strong protest against the living conditions in migrant camps
at the French city that turned into an escape attempt
A tweet showing what is believed to be a group of migrants after they boarded the Spirit of Britain ferry
The protest on Saturday came as British Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn visited the region, which is temporaryhome to about 4,000 migrants camped out in hopes of finding a better life in Britain, across the Channel. The Mayor of Calais Natacha Bouchart closed the port and said around 50 migrants made their way on to the P&O-operated vessel. Police are at the scene. Meanwhile, a statement tweeted by P&O said: 'The Port of Calais is resolving a security incident. As a result our vessels are subject to delay of between 90 and 120 minutes.' Numerous migrants have died trying to make the crossing illegally.
The protesters Saturday say the increased security presence in the Calais region is putting lives in danger, as are the living conditions.
Witnesses in Calais have posted on social media claiming migrants broke through police lines at the port
Migrants, pictured running towards the port, are reported to have had tear gas fired at them by French police officers
A group is believed to have ripped open a fence in order to get access to the harbour in Calais, pictured
The incident comes hours after UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn visited the region and said more had to be done to help migrants deal with 'disgraceful conditions'
Mr Corbyn's visit comes amid a growing urgency over the migrant crisis, with French prime minister Manuel Valls warning the huge influx is putting the European Union's future in 'grave danger'. But France is under pressure from Britain to secure the region and the French premier said this week that Europe cannot welcome everyone. He said: 'What I'm trying to achieve here is to understand the nature of the refugee crisis that's facing the whole of Europe. During his visit, Mr Corbyn was given a tour of the site meeting refugees and aid workers before speaking of the 'dreadful situation' faced by people camped in the swamp-like conditions.
It is understood the group that invaded the port is larger than 100 people, disrupting services at the harbour
It is unknown exactly how many migrants were able to make their way onto the Spirit of Britain, pictured, but more than 50 are believed to be aboard, according to the Mayor of Calais
Mr Corbyn visited camps in Calais and Dunkirk today talking to migrants about living conditions and lack of doctors, education and food
'Ultimately we deal with the situation by dealing with the problem at its source, which are the wars and conflicts.
'Also, there are the human needs of people. We have got people here who have been here for months, if not longer than that, with no proper education, no access to doctors, no access to dentists, limited access to food - in very cold, very wet conditions. 'These conditions are a disgrace anywhere. We as human beings have to reach out to fellow human beings.' Mr Corbyn said Britain should be part of a pan-European effort to help the people affected by the crisis.
The problem of immigration is bigger than what many people think. It is not all migrants who fear their lives, but many are economic migrants. How can Africa manage its economic mingrants?
