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EU migrant crisis: Calais 'Jungle' clearance work resumes | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Demolition teams have moved in to the French port of Calais to dismantle more makeshift shelters in the migrant camp known as the "Jungle". | |
French police have warned that they will use force if the migrants refuse to move to nearby shipping containers. | |
But many migrants fear they will be required to claim asylum in France and give up hope of travelling to Britain. | |
Overnight, riot police fired tear gas at migrants who were hurling stones at the demolition squads. | Overnight, riot police fired tear gas at migrants who were hurling stones at the demolition squads. |
French authorities believe about 1,000 migrants will be affected by the eviction plan while aid agencies say the number of people living there is much higher. | |
The BBC's Anna Holligan in Calais says that migrants, under cover of darkness, tried to access lorries on the motorway heading towards the port. | The BBC's Anna Holligan in Calais says that migrants, under cover of darkness, tried to access lorries on the motorway heading towards the port. |
Riot police fired tear gas, forcing them back, she said. | Riot police fired tear gas, forcing them back, she said. |
Those living in the camp, mainly from the Middle East, Afghanistan and Africa, hope to cross the Channel to the UK, often using people traffickers to try to enter illegally. | Those living in the camp, mainly from the Middle East, Afghanistan and Africa, hope to cross the Channel to the UK, often using people traffickers to try to enter illegally. |
About 100 shacks were dismantled on Monday. At least 12 shelters were set ablaze. | |
More trouble broke out later as groups of migrants fanned out across scrubland towards the motorway heading to the port. | More trouble broke out later as groups of migrants fanned out across scrubland towards the motorway heading to the port. |
French media say about 150 people, some wielding sticks and iron bars, walked on to the road to block vehicles. | French media say about 150 people, some wielding sticks and iron bars, walked on to the road to block vehicles. |
Riot police pushed them back into the camp. | Riot police pushed them back into the camp. |
At least four people, including activists from the UK-based No Borders group, were arrested during Monday's unrest, police say. | At least four people, including activists from the UK-based No Borders group, were arrested during Monday's unrest, police say. |
Earlier, Good Chance, a theatre group which works in the camp, said police were stopping volunteers from entering the camp. | Earlier, Good Chance, a theatre group which works in the camp, said police were stopping volunteers from entering the camp. |
French officials say public areas such as places of worship or schools will not be affected. They describe the clearance as a "humanitarian operation". | |
Conditions in the southern sector are squalid and the camp's sprawling presence has become a controversial issue in both France and the UK. | Conditions in the southern sector are squalid and the camp's sprawling presence has become a controversial issue in both France and the UK. |
The Jungle in numbers | The Jungle in numbers |
Tea, rivalry and ambition at 'Jungle hotel' | Tea, rivalry and ambition at 'Jungle hotel' |
Jungle migrants prepare to move | Jungle migrants prepare to move |
Migrants resist relocation to containers | Migrants resist relocation to containers |
Officials say migrants can either move into converted containers in the northern sector of the camp, where there is room for 1,500 people; move to similar accommodation centres elsewhere in France; or claim asylum in France. | |
But many residents are reluctant to leave the Calais area. | But many residents are reluctant to leave the Calais area. |
Afghan migrant Hayat Sirat told AP news agency: "Going to Britain... is what people [here] want. So destroying part of the Jungle is not the solution." | |
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the evictions? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories if it is safe to do so. | Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the evictions? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories if it is safe to do so. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |