This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2016/oct/24/calais-camp-riot-police-prepare-demolish-refugees-migrant

The article has changed 30 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Calais refugee camp: first bus leaves as police prepare for demolition – live Calais refugee camp: first buses leave as police prepare for demolition – live
(35 minutes later)
9.52am BST
09:52
Updated
at 9.52am BST
9.36am BST
09:36
Our first news wrap of the morning has been published. Here’s a flavour:
Queues of people dragging their few possessions in donated holdalls had begun forming in the dark pre-dawn outside a warehouse where processing was taking place.
As the gates opened people surged towards the warehouse, with no idea where they were to be transported to, but having been warned they must leave the camp or risk arrest and deportation.
The clear-out operation began in a peaceful and orderly fashion, in contrast to scenes at the weekend when there were violent clashes, with camp residents throwing stones at French riot police who retaliated with teargas.
Police vans and fire engines were positioned on the perimeter of the camp as those being processed were herded into the warehouse before being put on one of the white buses taking them to centres across France.
Updated
at 9.42am BST
9.33am BST
09:33
Are you in Calais or affected by events in the camp?
Share your eyewitness accounts, photos or videos direct with our journalists by clicking on the ‘Contribute’ button in the live blog.
You can also fill in our form or contact us on WhatsApp on +447867825056.
9.16am BST9.16am BST
09:1609:16
The evacuation of the Calais camp is continuing apace, according to my colleague Lisa O’Carroll, who is at the scene. She has just sent this tweet:The evacuation of the Calais camp is continuing apace, according to my colleague Lisa O’Carroll, who is at the scene. She has just sent this tweet:
Ten buses have already left processing centre. People queuing since 5am. Migrants being taken to Paris, Lyons and Marseilles I was told pic.twitter.com/ubeccJj72KTen buses have already left processing centre. People queuing since 5am. Migrants being taken to Paris, Lyons and Marseilles I was told pic.twitter.com/ubeccJj72K
9.15am BST9.15am BST
09:1509:15
Home Office 'committed to safeguarding Calais children'Home Office 'committed to safeguarding Calais children'
The Home Office has responded to fears that hundreds of children could be lost in the chaos of the Calais camp demolition today. As the Guardian reported last night, campaigners have warned that children who are undocumented and have not made it to the UK by Monday morning will be swept up in the “herding” of adult migrants onto coaches to be bussed elsewhere in France.The Home Office has responded to fears that hundreds of children could be lost in the chaos of the Calais camp demolition today. As the Guardian reported last night, campaigners have warned that children who are undocumented and have not made it to the UK by Monday morning will be swept up in the “herding” of adult migrants onto coaches to be bussed elsewhere in France.
Robert Goodwill, the immigration minister, said:Robert Goodwill, the immigration minister, said:
We are absolutely committed to safeguarding and protecting children in Calais and have already transferred a considerable number of unaccompanied minors to the UK so far this year.We are absolutely committed to safeguarding and protecting children in Calais and have already transferred a considerable number of unaccompanied minors to the UK so far this year.
We are working closely with our French partners and the immediate priority is to ensure those who remain in the camp are provided with secure accommodation during the clearance operation. UK officials will continue to identify those eligible to come to Britain.We are working closely with our French partners and the immediate priority is to ensure those who remain in the camp are provided with secure accommodation during the clearance operation. UK officials will continue to identify those eligible to come to Britain.
Our focus is, and will continue to be, transferring all eligible minors to the UK as soon as possible and ensuring they arrive safely. This must be done through an agreed and proper process and with the agreement of the French.Our focus is, and will continue to be, transferring all eligible minors to the UK as soon as possible and ensuring they arrive safely. This must be done through an agreed and proper process and with the agreement of the French.
In the past week, about 200 children have been brought to safety in the UK, approximately 15% of the total number in the Calais camp, according to a Citizens UK estimate. Another 24 refugee children from Calais arrived in Britain on Sunday afternoon. They follow 54 unaccompanied minors, mostly girls from Eritrea, who were the first to be brought to the UK on Saturday night under the Dubs amendment, the government pledge to help unaccompanied children announced to parliament in the summer.In the past week, about 200 children have been brought to safety in the UK, approximately 15% of the total number in the Calais camp, according to a Citizens UK estimate. Another 24 refugee children from Calais arrived in Britain on Sunday afternoon. They follow 54 unaccompanied minors, mostly girls from Eritrea, who were the first to be brought to the UK on Saturday night under the Dubs amendment, the government pledge to help unaccompanied children announced to parliament in the summer.
Updated
at 9.22am BST
9.04am BST9.04am BST
09:0409:04
These two short Twitter videos from a French photographer covering the Calais camp evacuation show that the queueing for reprocessing seems to be taking place in an orderly fashion.These two short Twitter videos from a French photographer covering the Calais camp evacuation show that the queueing for reprocessing seems to be taking place in an orderly fashion.
Le hangar par où les #Migrants transiteront avant leur évacuation de la #Jungle de #Calais pic.twitter.com/yhkEAk7GArLe hangar par où les #Migrants transiteront avant leur évacuation de la #Jungle de #Calais pic.twitter.com/yhkEAk7GAr
Top départ de l'évacuation de la #Jungle de #Calais pic.twitter.com/qyztV3v90lTop départ de l'évacuation de la #Jungle de #Calais pic.twitter.com/qyztV3v90l
As previous posts have indicated, there is a significant constituency among camp residents who are happy to leave. Aziz, 27, from Darfur, Sudan, who has spent the last four months sleeping rough, told PA:As previous posts have indicated, there is a significant constituency among camp residents who are happy to leave. Aziz, 27, from Darfur, Sudan, who has spent the last four months sleeping rough, told PA:
I don’t like this place at all because I want to go to a city area. I’m feeling not worried, not happy at all. I never laugh, I never cry. Just nothing, but I want to go from this place.I don’t like this place at all because I want to go to a city area. I’m feeling not worried, not happy at all. I never laugh, I never cry. Just nothing, but I want to go from this place.
Aziz said he would claim asylum in France and is hoping to go to the west of the country. Speaking of his home, he said:Aziz said he would claim asylum in France and is hoping to go to the west of the country. Speaking of his home, he said:
In Sudan there is insecurity, there is war, there is a terrible situation, discrimination ... it is not possible to stay.In Sudan there is insecurity, there is war, there is a terrible situation, discrimination ... it is not possible to stay.
8.57am BST8.57am BST
08:5708:57
Children are at risk from traffickers - Yvette CooperChildren are at risk from traffickers - Yvette Cooper
Peter WalkerPeter Walker
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme the chief executive of the port of Calais, Jean-Marc Puissesseau, said he was “very, very happy” that the camp was finally being cleared, Peter Walker reports.Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme the chief executive of the port of Calais, Jean-Marc Puissesseau, said he was “very, very happy” that the camp was finally being cleared, Peter Walker reports.
“For two years we have been living in constant stress, with a lot of attacks on the highways to try to slow down the traffic for the migrants to get into the lorries,” he said. “Really, it’s a big day – we are very happy.”“For two years we have been living in constant stress, with a lot of attacks on the highways to try to slow down the traffic for the migrants to get into the lorries,” he said. “Really, it’s a big day – we are very happy.”
But Puissesseau also argued that Calais needed “months and months” of a heavy police presence to stop a new camp forming, or else “it’s a waste of time what we are doing today”.But Puissesseau also argued that Calais needed “months and months” of a heavy police presence to stop a new camp forming, or else “it’s a waste of time what we are doing today”.
Yvette Cooper, the Labour MP who chairs the home affairs select committee, told the programme she welcomed the clearance but said the UK and France should have done more work to assist young refugees in the camp.Yvette Cooper, the Labour MP who chairs the home affairs select committee, told the programme she welcomed the clearance but said the UK and France should have done more work to assist young refugees in the camp.
“There are still hundreds of children and teenagers stuck in the camp and the French authorities have not put in place proper alternatives of places for the children to go that are safe. That’s why it’s right Britain should be doing its bit as well.”“There are still hundreds of children and teenagers stuck in the camp and the French authorities have not put in place proper alternatives of places for the children to go that are safe. That’s why it’s right Britain should be doing its bit as well.”
She added: “There has to be a plan between both France and Britain to help the children and teenagers right now. I really worry that Britain left this far, far too late to do its bit in terms of helping the children and teenagers. But the French authorities have also continually failed to provide that support.”She added: “There has to be a plan between both France and Britain to help the children and teenagers right now. I really worry that Britain left this far, far too late to do its bit in terms of helping the children and teenagers. But the French authorities have also continually failed to provide that support.”
Cooper warned that without proper plans in place, young camp residents could be placed at risk: “That’s what’s really worrying. Once the clearances start, we know that there is a significant risk that many of those children and young people disappear. That is what happened last time when part of the camp was closed without a plan for the children and teenagers.Cooper warned that without proper plans in place, young camp residents could be placed at risk: “That’s what’s really worrying. Once the clearances start, we know that there is a significant risk that many of those children and young people disappear. That is what happened last time when part of the camp was closed without a plan for the children and teenagers.
“And the consequence is they slip into the arms of the smuggler gangs, the traffickers. Just at the point at which they might have been able to be reunited with their family, then they are lost.”“And the consequence is they slip into the arms of the smuggler gangs, the traffickers. Just at the point at which they might have been able to be reunited with their family, then they are lost.”
8.54am BST8.54am BST
08:5408:54
Lisa O'CarrollLisa O'Carroll
My Guardian colleague Lisa O’Carroll has been talking to some of the people getting ready to leave Calais for resettlement elsewhere in France. She says the atmosphere among them is a mixture of relief, resignation and, in some cases, cheer.My Guardian colleague Lisa O’Carroll has been talking to some of the people getting ready to leave Calais for resettlement elsewhere in France. She says the atmosphere among them is a mixture of relief, resignation and, in some cases, cheer.
Habib, a business graduate from Afghanistan, said that all his family were in the UK, and that “human rights were violated” in the Calais camp. He told Lisa:Habib, a business graduate from Afghanistan, said that all his family were in the UK, and that “human rights were violated” in the Calais camp. He told Lisa:
I am an educated person, why would I want to be in this camp? But I am. All my family are in the UK. Under the Dublin agreement children can go and join their family but I can’t. That is injustice. Children I understand are helpless, but I am helpless too. My family are just a few hundred kilometres away and now I am being taken hundreds of kilometres in the other direction.I am an educated person, why would I want to be in this camp? But I am. All my family are in the UK. Under the Dublin agreement children can go and join their family but I can’t. That is injustice. Children I understand are helpless, but I am helpless too. My family are just a few hundred kilometres away and now I am being taken hundreds of kilometres in the other direction.
Habib pointed to a scar on his wrist which he said was broken by people smugglers because he had asked for a drink of water, and he described how he had been beaten by the police when he tried to jump on a lorry.Habib pointed to a scar on his wrist which he said was broken by people smugglers because he had asked for a drink of water, and he described how he had been beaten by the police when he tried to jump on a lorry.
Most of those volunteering to leave appear to be from Sudan, Eritrea and Afghanistan. Many of them seemed glad to be leaving. A group of Sudanese wandering to the processing centre at dawn cheered loudly “goodbye jungle”.Most of those volunteering to leave appear to be from Sudan, Eritrea and Afghanistan. Many of them seemed glad to be leaving. A group of Sudanese wandering to the processing centre at dawn cheered loudly “goodbye jungle”.
Two Sudanese took their place in the queue with their bicycles. Ahmed, 26, had been in the camp for seven months while Assam fromDarfur had been there for six. “The jungle [is] no good, [it’s] dirty, there are fights,” said Assam.Two Sudanese took their place in the queue with their bicycles. Ahmed, 26, had been in the camp for seven months while Assam fromDarfur had been there for six. “The jungle [is] no good, [it’s] dirty, there are fights,” said Assam.
Ahmed, 16, from Somalia, said: “[In] the jungle you feel like an animal.”Ahmed, 16, from Somalia, said: “[In] the jungle you feel like an animal.”
Bilal from Afghanistan, an English teacher who fled the Taliban, said the camp was “bad, bad”Bilal from Afghanistan, an English teacher who fled the Taliban, said the camp was “bad, bad”
8.41am BST8.41am BST
08:4108:41
First coach is headed for BurgundyFirst coach is headed for Burgundy
The first coach load of Calais camp evacuees left at about 8.45am (6.45am GMT), taking around 50 Sudanese to the Burgundy region of east central France, Agence France-Presse reports.The first coach load of Calais camp evacuees left at about 8.45am (6.45am GMT), taking around 50 Sudanese to the Burgundy region of east central France, Agence France-Presse reports.
Abbas, 25, from Sudan, who was bundled up in a woolly hat and coat against the cold, told the agency: “I feel very happy, I’ve had enough of the Jungle. There are a lot of people who don’t want to leave. There might be problems later. That’s why I came out first.”Abbas, 25, from Sudan, who was bundled up in a woolly hat and coat against the cold, told the agency: “I feel very happy, I’ve had enough of the Jungle. There are a lot of people who don’t want to leave. There might be problems later. That’s why I came out first.”
Bashir, 25, also from Sudan, began queueing at 4:00 am (0200 GMT), four hours before the hangar serving as a bus station opened. “Anywhere in France would be better than the Jungle”, he said.Bashir, 25, also from Sudan, began queueing at 4:00 am (0200 GMT), four hours before the hangar serving as a bus station opened. “Anywhere in France would be better than the Jungle”, he said.
However, hours before the evacuation began some migrants were still clinging to hopes of a new life across the Channel. Karhazi, a young Afghan, one of many of camp residents with contacts in Britain, said: “They’ll have to force us to leave. We want to go to Britain.”However, hours before the evacuation began some migrants were still clinging to hopes of a new life across the Channel. Karhazi, a young Afghan, one of many of camp residents with contacts in Britain, said: “They’ll have to force us to leave. We want to go to Britain.”
A Syrian man named Sam who spent 13 months in the Jungle told AFP he had fled the camp at the weekend to another site about 12 kilometres (seven miles) away where he said “dozens” of migrants were hiding out to avoid being moved.A Syrian man named Sam who spent 13 months in the Jungle told AFP he had fled the camp at the weekend to another site about 12 kilometres (seven miles) away where he said “dozens” of migrants were hiding out to avoid being moved.
French authorities have said those who agree to be moved can apply for asylum in France.French authorities have said those who agree to be moved can apply for asylum in France.
8.35am BST8.35am BST
08:3508:35
Calais camp will return, says charity bossCalais camp will return, says charity boss
Camps housing migrants around Calais are likely to re-emerge, despite today’s demolition of the structures currently in place, the British founder of a Calais refugee crisis charity has told the Press Association.Camps housing migrants around Calais are likely to re-emerge, despite today’s demolition of the structures currently in place, the British founder of a Calais refugee crisis charity has told the Press Association.
Clare Moseley, founder of Care4Calais, who has drawn parallels between the treatment of migrants in France with that of persecuted Jews in Nazi Germany, said:Clare Moseley, founder of Care4Calais, who has drawn parallels between the treatment of migrants in France with that of persecuted Jews in Nazi Germany, said:
I think people will still come. With refugees, deterrents don’t matter because a refugee by definition is fleeing something. In February, they demolished over half of the camp and yet here we, are seven months later, with a camp bigger than it’s ever been.I think people will still come. With refugees, deterrents don’t matter because a refugee by definition is fleeing something. In February, they demolished over half of the camp and yet here we, are seven months later, with a camp bigger than it’s ever been.
[Migrants] don’t have a lot of options or a lot of information. A lot of them are just kids. Even those who are 19, 20, 21 years old, they are still very young.[Migrants] don’t have a lot of options or a lot of information. A lot of them are just kids. Even those who are 19, 20, 21 years old, they are still very young.
We’ve a lot from Afghanistan, which is fragmented and is a society that has completely broken down. The people from there don’t trust anybody and the children have behavioural problems because they are so accustomed to violence and to losing family and friends.We’ve a lot from Afghanistan, which is fragmented and is a society that has completely broken down. The people from there don’t trust anybody and the children have behavioural problems because they are so accustomed to violence and to losing family and friends.
They are not coming here because they have a choice, they are coming here because they have no choice. A lot of the kids in particular don’t know what to do. When you ask them, they look at you blankly.They are not coming here because they have a choice, they are coming here because they have no choice. A lot of the kids in particular don’t know what to do. When you ask them, they look at you blankly.
8.26am BST
08:26
8.05am BST
08:05
Here’s another shot of that first bus leaving the camp.
Premiers départs de la #Jungle de #Calais pour les migrants mineurs pic.twitter.com/uqQkN3qN2l
7.57am BST
07:57
Angelique Chrisafis
Angelique Chrisafis has spoken to a Sudanese refugee who has spent three months living rough in Calais but now hopes to claim asylum in France and start a new life in the country.
Yusef, 35, a pharmacist who had fled violence in Sudan, was dragging a donated suitcase of blankets to join hundreds queuing in the cold to be bussed to reception centres across France. Once inside the French hangar, he would be shown a map of France, given a choice of two places and put on a bus.
“I have no idea where I’ll go. I will close my eyes and put my finger on the map,’ he said. But he was optimistic. “I want to integrate, start a new life, contribute. I trust France to keep me safe. People misunderstand us. We don’t have economic problems, we’re fleeing violence and dictatorship.”
Yusef wanted to apply for asylum in France and start learning French straight away. “All I know about France is that they make good perfume and that Paris is called the city of love. Now I’m beginning a journey of love.”
He said three months living in the Calais camp had been “tough and miserable”. He added: “Now we’ve got to start feeling hope.”
Once he had thought he would make it to England. “But that dream died here,” he said. “That bridge is closed.”
7.50am BST
07:50
First bus leaves the camp
Chrisje Sterk, a Dutch journalist, has posted this footage that she says shows the first of the buses leaving the camp to ferry migrants to new locations in France.
De eerste bus is vertrokken #calais #calaisjungle pic.twitter.com/Kj08ZoEoEU
Updated
at 7.51am BST
7.46am BST
07:46
“I just want my mum”
Angelique Chrisafis
One young resident of the camp, Aaron, 16, said he was afraid that crossing the Channel was his best hope of finding his mother. The pair had fled Eritrea months earlier but had been split from her as they trekked through the desert.
Aaron had gone on alone to Libya and then to Italy by boat, knowing only that his mother hoped to get them both to England. He told Guardian Paris correspondent Angelique Chrisafis:
I have to get to England. That’s where my mother was going and it’s my only hope of finding her. At night I have such bad nightmares. I just want to find my mum.
Updated
at 7.51am BST
7.24am BST
07:24
By all accounts the camp remains calm and orderly this morning. No sign of riot police or any demolitions yet. People are queuing patiently.
Migrants waiting to get into the hangar. pic.twitter.com/cJFufpjzb4
Calais this morning pic.twitter.com/bIa102nEun
Very calm in Calais as hundreds of migrants volunteer to leave. Sudanese and Eritrean mostly in queue for processing center so far
Updated
at 7.31am BST
7.18am BST
07:18
A line of buses outside the camp.
La fila di autobus pronti a caricare i migranti #Calais pic.twitter.com/zrV8G702FD
7.12am BST
07:12
Here’s another reporter hammering home the fact that there do seem to be an awful lot of media at the camp.
Presumably the next big headache for Calais authorities is evacuating the 10,000 journalists pic.twitter.com/QnxnP1jFPO
7.08am BST
07:08
7.06am BST
07:06
Lisa O'Carroll
Mohamed, 23, from Eritrea is very happy to leave the camp. As he walks up to queue at processsing center he tells me: “The camp is dirty and dangerous”. He has been here for three months and has tried to get asylum in France before, he says. “My fingerprints were taken in Italy and where ever you go in Europe after that they say you have to go back to the Italy under the Dublin regulation,” he says. “Now they say for the first time the fingerprints don’t matter and we can start applying for asylum again. I am happy, “ he says. He has been told the buses will go all over France including Marseilles, Lyons and Paris.