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/2016/oct/26/operation-to-clear-calais-refugee-camp-finishes-ahead-of-schedule
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Operation to clear Calais refugee camp finishes ahead of schedule | Operation to clear Calais refugee camp finishes ahead of schedule |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The operation to clear people from the refugee camp in Calais has finished ahead of schedule, French authorities have said. | The operation to clear people from the refugee camp in Calais has finished ahead of schedule, French authorities have said. |
| “There are no more migrants in the camp. Our mission has been fulfilled,” said Fabienne Buccio, a local official. | “There are no more migrants in the camp. Our mission has been fulfilled,” said Fabienne Buccio, a local official. |
| The announcement came after a number of fires swept through the settlement outside the French port town on the third day of the operation to clear it. | The announcement came after a number of fires swept through the settlement outside the French port town on the third day of the operation to clear it. |
| A huge plume of dark grey smoke could be seen from a distance billowing over the sprawling camp, which has become a symbol of Europe’s migrant/refugee crisis, as makeshift shelters that were recently homes burned. The fires were blamed on disgruntled camp residents. | |
| On Wednesday morning, workers wearing hard hats and orange overalls resumed tearing down tents and makeshift shelters. Riot police had cordoned off the demolition area while aid workers and government officials checked the dwellings were empty. | On Wednesday morning, workers wearing hard hats and orange overalls resumed tearing down tents and makeshift shelters. Riot police had cordoned off the demolition area while aid workers and government officials checked the dwellings were empty. |
| Others carted away the debris and abandoned belongings, including mattresses, multi-coloured blankets and supermarket trollies, in small earth-movers. Gas canisters, sinks, refrigerators and other metal objects lay scattered on the ground. | Others carted away the debris and abandoned belongings, including mattresses, multi-coloured blankets and supermarket trollies, in small earth-movers. Gas canisters, sinks, refrigerators and other metal objects lay scattered on the ground. |
| The demolition operation will be scaled up on Thursday, with larger machinery moving in, an official said. | The demolition operation will be scaled up on Thursday, with larger machinery moving in, an official said. |
| There were also fires overnight, which spread hours after workers moved in on Tuesday to begin dismantling the camp, formerly home to an estimated 6,000-8,000 migrants and refugees, many of whom hoped to reach Britain. A Syrian man was taken to hospital with injuries to his eardrums after a gas canister exploded in the flames. | There were also fires overnight, which spread hours after workers moved in on Tuesday to begin dismantling the camp, formerly home to an estimated 6,000-8,000 migrants and refugees, many of whom hoped to reach Britain. A Syrian man was taken to hospital with injuries to his eardrums after a gas canister exploded in the flames. |
| A local official played down the blazes, telling Agence France-Presse: “It’s a tradition among communities who set fire to their homes before leaving.” | A local official played down the blazes, telling Agence France-Presse: “It’s a tradition among communities who set fire to their homes before leaving.” |
| Starting on Monday, adults have been transferred to centres around France and unaccompanied minors have been moved to shipping containers converted into temporary shelters in the camp, the interior ministry said. | Starting on Monday, adults have been transferred to centres around France and unaccompanied minors have been moved to shipping containers converted into temporary shelters in the camp, the interior ministry said. |
| The authorities have said those who agree to be moved can seek asylum in France. Those who refuse risk deportation. The fate of more than 1,000 unaccompanied minors is of particular concern. | The authorities have said those who agree to be moved can seek asylum in France. Those who refuse risk deportation. The fate of more than 1,000 unaccompanied minors is of particular concern. |
| The French interior minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, said on Tuesday that all those with proven family links in Britain would eventually be transferred and that the UK had committed to reviewing all other cases where it was in the child’s interest to settle across the Channel. | The French interior minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, said on Tuesday that all those with proven family links in Britain would eventually be transferred and that the UK had committed to reviewing all other cases where it was in the child’s interest to settle across the Channel. |