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Calais port delays as migrants target P&O ferry | Calais port delays as migrants target P&O ferry |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Services from the port of Calais have been disrupted after 50 migrants briefly boarded a ship, the city's mayor Natacha Bouchart has said. | |
It is understood that about 50 migrants in Calais boarded a P&O ferry named the Spirit of Britain, while it was unloading. | It is understood that about 50 migrants in Calais boarded a P&O ferry named the Spirit of Britain, while it was unloading. |
Ferry company DFDS Seaways tweeted that the port had been closed due to a "migrant invasion". | Ferry company DFDS Seaways tweeted that the port had been closed due to a "migrant invasion". |
The incident followed a demonstration in the port in favour of migrants. | |
P&O Ferries described it as a "security incident" and said passengers could expect a delay of between 90 and 120 minutes. | P&O Ferries described it as a "security incident" and said passengers could expect a delay of between 90 and 120 minutes. |
The company later tweeted: "Port of Calais is still resolving the security incident. But vessels now being allowed to dock, loading should commence soon." | |
The demonstration was held in support of migrants and, according to AP news agency, attracted a crowd of 2,000 people. | The demonstration was held in support of migrants and, according to AP news agency, attracted a crowd of 2,000 people. |
Some of the protesters at the demonstration carried banners saying "refugees welcome here". People from Britain were among the demonstrators. | Some of the protesters at the demonstration carried banners saying "refugees welcome here". People from Britain were among the demonstrators. |
A statement from the Port of Dover said: "The Port of Calais is currently experiencing migrant activity which has caused disruption to ferry services. | A statement from the Port of Dover said: "The Port of Calais is currently experiencing migrant activity which has caused disruption to ferry services. |
"Therefore services to and from Calais via the Port of Dover are affected, but DFDS Seaways services are still running to Dunkirk as normal. | "Therefore services to and from Calais via the Port of Dover are affected, but DFDS Seaways services are still running to Dunkirk as normal. |
"The Port of Dover remains open for business, but the duration of this disruption to services remains unknown." | "The Port of Dover remains open for business, but the duration of this disruption to services remains unknown." |
Thousands of migrants are currently living in camps known as "the Jungle" on the edge of Calais. | Thousands of migrants are currently living in camps known as "the Jungle" on the edge of Calais. |
The population of the camp has risen steadily in recent weeks to about 2,500, including about 250 children, according to medical volunteer group, Medecins Sans Frontieres‎. | The population of the camp has risen steadily in recent weeks to about 2,500, including about 250 children, according to medical volunteer group, Medecins Sans Frontieres‎. |
In August last year, the UK and France signed an agreement on new measures to try and alleviate the crisis, including a new command centre to help tackle trafficking gangs. | In August last year, the UK and France signed an agreement on new measures to try and alleviate the crisis, including a new command centre to help tackle trafficking gangs. |
Meanwhile, Jeremy Corbyn has visited a migrant camp in northern France and spoken of the "dreadful conditions" there. | Meanwhile, Jeremy Corbyn has visited a migrant camp in northern France and spoken of the "dreadful conditions" there. |
The Labour leader said conditions in the Grande-Synthe camp near Dunkirk would be a "disgrace anywhere", and Britain should be "part of bringing European support to people". | The Labour leader said conditions in the Grande-Synthe camp near Dunkirk would be a "disgrace anywhere", and Britain should be "part of bringing European support to people". |
He said the long-term solution was to deal with the conflicts causing the migration crisis. | He said the long-term solution was to deal with the conflicts causing the migration crisis. |
The situation in Calais is part of a wider migration crisis in Europe - caused largely by people fleeing war and oppression in countries such as Syria, Afghanistan and Eritrea. | The situation in Calais is part of a wider migration crisis in Europe - caused largely by people fleeing war and oppression in countries such as Syria, Afghanistan and Eritrea. |
On Friday French Prime Minister Manuel Valls warned that Europe's migration crisis is putting the EU at grave risk. | On Friday French Prime Minister Manuel Valls warned that Europe's migration crisis is putting the EU at grave risk. |