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Authorities spend third day demolishing Calais refugee camp Authorities spend third day demolishing Calais refugee camp
(35 minutes later)
French authorities are spending a third day gradually dismantling the makeshift migrant camp in Calais known as the “Jungle”, as official figures showed that so far just a handful of residents have taken up the chance to move to more permanent centres elsewhere in France. French authorities are spending a third day gradually dismantling the makeshift migrant camp in Calais, as official figures showed that so far just a handful of residents have taken up the chance to move to more permanent centres elsewhere in France.
Work crews, again protected by hundreds of riot police, continued the painstaking job of knocking down the wood-framed shelters lived in by many people, using power tools to level them before diggers scoop the debris into giant skips. Work crews, protected by hundreds of riot police, continued the painstaking job of knocking down the wood-framed shelters lived in by many people, using power tools to level them before diggers scoop the debris into giant skips.
Related: Calais 'Jungle' camp refugees burn shelters as demolitions resumeRelated: Calais 'Jungle' camp refugees burn shelters as demolitions resume
On Monday, the first day of demolition, clashes broke out in the evening, but Tuesday was more calm, beyond a small number of shacks burning to the ground. It is not known who set them on fire. On Monday, the first day of demolition at the camp known as the “Jungle”, clashes broke out in the evening, but Tuesday was calmer, beyond a small number of shacks burning to the ground. It is not known who set them alight.
On Wednesday, the work appeared to be progressing calmly, though some reports said people were again sitting on the roofs of shacks to try to delay the process. On Wednesday, the work appeared to be progressing peacefully, though some reports said people were again sitting on the roofs of shacks to try to delay the process.
Rooftop protests, bulldozers - another day in #CalaisJungle pic.twitter.com/rD5i1Q3rVzRooftop protests, bulldozers - another day in #CalaisJungle pic.twitter.com/rD5i1Q3rVz
According to a census carried out by refugee groups last month, there were just under 3,500 people living in the main part of the camp, including about 300 unaccompanied children.According to a census carried out by refugee groups last month, there were just under 3,500 people living in the main part of the camp, including about 300 unaccompanied children.
However, the Calais prefecture, which is leading the demolition, says just 800 to 1,000 people live in this section, and that there is space elsewhere for all of them to move.However, the Calais prefecture, which is leading the demolition, says just 800 to 1,000 people live in this section, and that there is space elsewhere for all of them to move.
Related: Calais camp demolitions: are you affected?Related: Calais camp demolitions: are you affected?
“Can you imagine if we destroyed the whole camp without providing alternatives for migrants?” a spokesman for the prefecture said, calling the demolition a “humanitarian operation”.“Can you imagine if we destroyed the whole camp without providing alternatives for migrants?” a spokesman for the prefecture said, calling the demolition a “humanitarian operation”.
The spokesman added that it was not known exactly how many people had lost their shelters so far. The spokesman added that it was not known exactly how many people had left their shelters so far.
Authorities are offering three options for those being moved out. The first is a purpose-built compound of converted shipping containers just north of the main site. These are heated and have plumbing, but some migrants mistrust the system to enter the site, which involves opening a turnstile with a handprint. There are also fewer than 150 places left here. Authorities are offering three options for those being moved out. The first is a purpose-built compound of converted shipping containers just north of the main site. These are heated and have plumbing, but some migrants mistrust the system to enter the site, which involves opening a turnstile with a handprint. There are also fewer than 150 places left.
There are also large marquee-type tents set up by authorities, to which some of those evicted have gone. Volunteers say these are so cold people need to sleep inside smaller tents set up inside. The authorities have also set up large marquee-type tents, to which some of those evicted have gone. Volunteers say these are so cold people need to sleep inside smaller tents set up inside.
The final option is the accommodation centres elsewhere in France. A spokesman for the prefecture said 43 people left the camp on coaches to accommodation centres in the southern cities of Bordeaux and Montpellier. On Monday, 29 went to the Savoie and the Alps region. The final option is going to an accommodation centre elsewhere in France. A spokesman for the prefecture said 43 people left the camp on coaches to centres in the southern cities of Bordeaux and Montpellier. On Monday, 29 went to the Savoie and the Alps region.
Moving away from Calais is resisted by many people in the camp, many of whom came to the north French coast in the hope of reaching the UK aboard one of the lorries that pass by an adjoining – and now heavily fenced – road towards the ferry port. Moving away from Calais is resisted by many people in the camp, many of whom came to the northern French coast in the hope of reaching the UK on board one of the lorries that pass by an adjoining – and now heavily fenced – road towards the ferry port.
The work began again on Wednesday with police banging on the side of shacks, shouting: “You need to get out, the demolition is starting.”The work began again on Wednesday with police banging on the side of shacks, shouting: “You need to get out, the demolition is starting.”
Smouldering piles marked places where several shelters were burned down overnight. Smouldering piles marked places where shelters were burned down overnight.
The dismantling process is made slower in part by the fact that a lot of the wooden shacks are so well built. Many were designed and constructed by professional staff from the British theatre and events industries, who brought them to Calais as flatpack shelters under the Crew for Calais banner. The dismantling process has been slowed in part by the fact that a lot of the wooden shacks are so well built. Many were designed and constructed by professional staff from the British theatre and events industries, who brought them to Calais as flatpack shelters under the Crew for Calais banner.