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Migrants targeting UK bound passenger trains taking ever greater risks Migrants targeting UK bound passenger trains taking ever greater risks
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People who are taking ever greater risks to reach Britain from Calais have targeted UK-bound passenger trains for the first time because of increased security measures at the Channel tunnel.People who are taking ever greater risks to reach Britain from Calais have targeted UK-bound passenger trains for the first time because of increased security measures at the Channel tunnel.
Two Eurostar passenger trains were forced to turn back on Tuesday, one to London and one to Paris, while a rescue train was sent for stranded passengers when their service broke down near Calais.Two Eurostar passenger trains were forced to turn back on Tuesday, one to London and one to Paris, while a rescue train was sent for stranded passengers when their service broke down near Calais.
Related: Eurostar train held at Calais reaches London after 16-hour delayRelated: Eurostar train held at Calais reaches London after 16-hour delay
On Wednesday, exhausted passengers arriving at London’s St Pancras International station claimed they were left on the train for hours with no food, and in darkness and overbearing heat after the power was cut, then packed into a cold station after the carriages were finally evacuated. On Wednesday, exhausted passengers arriving at St Pancras International station, London, claimed they were left on the train for hours with no food, and in darkness and overbearing heat after the power was cut, then packed into a cold station after the carriages were finally evacuated.
George Golesack, 34, from Bethnal Green, east London, said: “People were trying to climb on the train. [Officials] were searching for two hours because they said there were people on the roof.George Golesack, 34, from Bethnal Green, east London, said: “People were trying to climb on the train. [Officials] were searching for two hours because they said there were people on the roof.
“One woman had a massive panic attack and another woman who was pregnant had to be taken to hospital.”“One woman had a massive panic attack and another woman who was pregnant had to be taken to hospital.”
Eurotunnel said measures introduced at the main tunnel complex in recent weeks – including extra fencing and more patrols – meant many of those fleeing persecution, poverty and war in their own countries were now targeting freight trains and the Eurostar passenger trains further inland. Eurotunnel said measures introduced at the main tunnel complex in recent weeks – including extra fencing and more patrols – meant many of those fleeing persecution, poverty and war in their own countries were targeting freight trains and the Eurostar passenger trains further inland.
John Keefe, a Eurotunnel spokesman, said: “Since Channel tunnel security increased over the past few months, we’ve seen the migrant problem displace to other areas as they try to get on to trains before they reach the tunnel.John Keefe, a Eurotunnel spokesman, said: “Since Channel tunnel security increased over the past few months, we’ve seen the migrant problem displace to other areas as they try to get on to trains before they reach the tunnel.
“They’re stopping trains by blocking the tracks, then trying to get through the tunnel, but we won’t accept trains with migrants on.”“They’re stopping trains by blocking the tracks, then trying to get through the tunnel, but we won’t accept trains with migrants on.”
Eurostar suggested the disruption overnight was the first time its passenger trains had been targeted by migrants during the recent crisis.Eurostar suggested the disruption overnight was the first time its passenger trains had been targeted by migrants during the recent crisis.
“We’ve been running a normal service all summer,” said a spokeswoman.“We’ve been running a normal service all summer,” said a spokeswoman.
Around 3,000 people – many from Syria, Afghanistan and East Africa – live in desperate conditions in a makeshift camp in Calais. At the height of the crisis earlier this summer, thousands of people were attempting to break into the Eurotunnel complex and on to lorries or trains each night. At least 10 people died in June and July as people employed more risky tactics to get to the UK.
Related: Fortress Calais: fleeting fixtures and precarious lives in the migrant campRelated: Fortress Calais: fleeting fixtures and precarious lives in the migrant camp
About 3,000 people – many from Syria, Afghanistan and east Africa – live in desperate conditions in a makeshift camp in Calais. At the height of the crisis earlier this summer, thousands of attempts to break into the Eurotunnel complex and on to lorries or trains were made each night. At least 10 people died in June and July as people employed more risky tactics to get to the UK.
The camp in Calais is part of the wider crisis that has seen more than 185,000 people crossing the Mediterranean into southern Europe since January. Most will try to claim asylum in other EU countries – Germany and Sweden attract the greatest number of applicants – with only a small fraction trying to make it to the UK.The camp in Calais is part of the wider crisis that has seen more than 185,000 people crossing the Mediterranean into southern Europe since January. Most will try to claim asylum in other EU countries – Germany and Sweden attract the greatest number of applicants – with only a small fraction trying to make it to the UK.
At the time the security measures were announced by the UK government, critics warned that they would not tackle the underlying issues.At the time the security measures were announced by the UK government, critics warned that they would not tackle the underlying issues.