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| Calais migrants foiled as they try to storm ferry | Calais migrants foiled as they try to storm ferry |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Scores of illegal migrants in the French port of Calais have tried to force their way onto a ferry bound for England, officials and witnesses say. | Scores of illegal migrants in the French port of Calais have tried to force their way onto a ferry bound for England, officials and witnesses say. |
| Passenger John Bailey told the BBC that the migrants tried to get access to the vessel by running up the main ramp. | Passenger John Bailey told the BBC that the migrants tried to get access to the vessel by running up the main ramp. |
| But he said they were prevented from gaining entry when the crew raised the ramp and turned a fire hose on them. | But he said they were prevented from gaining entry when the crew raised the ramp and turned a fire hose on them. |
| On Tuesday the mayor of Calais said she would blockade the port unless Britain helped to control the migrants. | On Tuesday the mayor of Calais said she would blockade the port unless Britain helped to control the migrants. |
| Natacha Bouchart said that her city was being "taken hostage" by more than 1,000 migrants attempting to cross the English Channel from France. | Natacha Bouchart said that her city was being "taken hostage" by more than 1,000 migrants attempting to cross the English Channel from France. |
| Officials said that two attempts were made to board the ferry. In the first about 85 migrants forced their way through a gate and climbed over fences, overpowering security staff. | Officials said that two attempts were made to board the ferry. In the first about 85 migrants forced their way through a gate and climbed over fences, overpowering security staff. |
| They were foiled when crew raised the ramp before they could get to the ferry. | They were foiled when crew raised the ramp before they could get to the ferry. |
| A second attempt - made by about 150 migrants who also succeeded in gaining entrances to the port - was frustrated when police moved in to detain them. | A second attempt - made by about 150 migrants who also succeeded in gaining entrances to the port - was frustrated when police moved in to detain them. |
| "The migrants were escorted back down the ramp by the police and led out of the port, shouting at some people in the vehicle queue," Mr Bailey told the BBC. | "The migrants were escorted back down the ramp by the police and led out of the port, shouting at some people in the vehicle queue," Mr Bailey told the BBC. |
| "The ship was delayed by about 45 minutes whilst a search was carried out." | "The ship was delayed by about 45 minutes whilst a search was carried out." |
| He said that on his way to the port he and fellow passengers "were shocked to see a huge crowd of migrants on the main access road who were being guarded by about 20 French police - some armed with sub-machine guns". | He said that on his way to the port he and fellow passengers "were shocked to see a huge crowd of migrants on the main access road who were being guarded by about 20 French police - some armed with sub-machine guns". |
| "This was clearly no deterrent as they obviously ran past them into the port, which must have been a distance of about a mile," he said. | "This was clearly no deterrent as they obviously ran past them into the port, which must have been a distance of about a mile," he said. |
| The P&O ferry company, which had a vessel at Calais at the time, confirmed there had been a "huge intrusion" at the port and told the AFP news agency it had prompted it to close the doors to the ship. | |
| Ms Bouchart said that the migrants were costing the French authorities too much and were making life unpleasant for people in the city. | Ms Bouchart said that the migrants were costing the French authorities too much and were making life unpleasant for people in the city. |
| Many of the migrants in Calais believe the UK will be a more welcoming place if they can get there. | Many of the migrants in Calais believe the UK will be a more welcoming place if they can get there. |
| In 2002 the French government closed the main Red Cross centre at Sangatte near Calais, but insanitary illegal camps have constantly sprung up in its place since then. | In 2002 the French government closed the main Red Cross centre at Sangatte near Calais, but insanitary illegal camps have constantly sprung up in its place since then. |
| In recent months French police have tried to break up the camps, but the migrants say they have nowhere else to go. They can often be seen sheltering under plastic bags and sheets, with many depending on charities for food. | In recent months French police have tried to break up the camps, but the migrants say they have nowhere else to go. They can often be seen sheltering under plastic bags and sheets, with many depending on charities for food. |
| The mayor complained that British immigration policy made the UK be seen as "an Eldorado" by immigrants. | The mayor complained that British immigration policy made the UK be seen as "an Eldorado" by immigrants. |
| She criticised Britain for demanding that security be boosted at Calais on the one hand without sufficiently financing the 10m euros ($13m; £7.8m) improvement project on the other. | She criticised Britain for demanding that security be boosted at Calais on the one hand without sufficiently financing the 10m euros ($13m; £7.8m) improvement project on the other. |
| Calais is the nearest French port to England and millions of British tourists travel through the town every year. | Calais is the nearest French port to England and millions of British tourists travel through the town every year. |
| Do you live or work in Calais? Do you have any experience of these migrant camps? You can share your views and experiences with us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk | Do you live or work in Calais? Do you have any experience of these migrant camps? You can share your views and experiences with us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk |