Evacuation of migrants from Calais 'Jungle' begins

Over a thousand police deployed to remove between 6-8 thousand refugees. Most of them are from Afghanistan, Sudan and Eritrea. Calais residents complain of lack of security and failing businesses. It's the fourth time that the campsite near the port has been evacuated.

 

Calais (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Dozens of migrants lined up before collection points this morning to start the full evacuation of the refugee camp named the "the jungle", just 800 meters from the port of the French town that overlooks the English Channel.

Men and women, with makeshift suitcases and luggage, crowded together waiting to be transferred to other refugee centers in the country.

The French government described the operation as "humanitarian" in nature.  The aim is to totally clear the “jungle" which has mushroomed in the last 18 months to gather from 6 to 8 thousand migrants. Most of them are from Afghanistan, Sudan and Eritrea and arrived here ahead to try to cross the Channel and land in Britain.

In recent days there have been several clashes with police. And even today, dozens of jeeps and at least a thousand policemen have been deployed, ready to intervene.

The evacuation of the camp is viewed with relief by the city's inhabitants who complain of a lack of security and a drop in business due to the degradation brought about by the migrants. In addition, the transport of goods, especially at night, has become high risk: almost every night migrant gangs attack trucks heading for the customs trying to climb aboard as stowaways and leave the country.

Members of the associations which in recent months have helped the refugees to live in the "jungle" note that Calais is a destination that is tempting to all migrants, given its location, and that sooner or later other camps will be formed. Since 2002 at least three illegal camps have been built and the bulldozed, in addition to today’s eviction.

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