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'Hundreds' of migrants now target Eurotunnel every night 'Hundreds' of migrants now target Eurotunnel every night
(35 minutes later)
Incursions by "hundreds" of migrants into the Eurotunnel terminal in France have become a nightly occurrence, the cross-channel rail operator has said.Incursions by "hundreds" of migrants into the Eurotunnel terminal in France have become a nightly occurrence, the cross-channel rail operator has said.
Passenger and freight services were hit by delays on Friday as the firm tried to run services during one of the busiest days for summer holiday travel. Passenger and freight services were again hit by delays on Friday as the firm tried to run services on one of the busiest days for holiday travel.
Eurotunnel said police were being called each night to remove migrants from its Coquelles base.Eurotunnel said police were being called each night to remove migrants from its Coquelles base.
It is thought there are now about 5,000 migrants in Calais.It is thought there are now about 5,000 migrants in Calais.
Eurotunnel said the migrant activity was well-organised and planned, and people were so desperate to reach the UK they were prepared to throw themselves at trains travelling at 90mph.Eurotunnel said the migrant activity was well-organised and planned, and people were so desperate to reach the UK they were prepared to throw themselves at trains travelling at 90mph.
A company spokesman said hundreds of people were being removed from around the terminal perimeter, the railway or platforms each night. The company's director of public affairs, John Keefe, said hundreds of people were being removed from around the terminal perimeter, the railway or platforms each night.
The spokesman said: "We're dealing with people traffickers working together to create diversions and distract security. It's well-organised, co-ordinated activity." He said: "We're dealing with people traffickers working together to create diversions and distract security. It's well-organised, co-ordinated activity."
On Thursday, the body of a teenager was found on a train at the Eurotunnel terminal in Kent.On Thursday, the body of a teenager was found on a train at the Eurotunnel terminal in Kent.
'Far bigger problem'
Mr Keefe said migrants were roaming Calais at will, with the single goal of trying to reach the UK.
Numbers were growing at 50 to 100 each day, he added.
He raised concerns that thousands of people had arrived in the French town over winter and numbers would continue at the same rate over the summer.
The increase in numbers came as no surprise following migrant activity in the Mediterranean, he added.
He said: "The only voices are the operators out of Calais - us and the ferries. But this is a European problem. Two governments have been taken by surprise and have not yet reacted."
Eurotunnel has handed out leaflets in migrant camps and put up posters in nine languages around its French base, warning migrants about fast trains, high voltage electricity and moving vehicles.
But Mr Keefe added: "This is a far bigger problem than one small transport company operating across a 30-mile stretch of water.
"This is an international problem - for Europe and the rest of the world."
Operation Stack in placeOperation Stack in place
The overnight activity coincided with a peak-time holiday weekend as the rail operator dealt with heavy passenger and freight demand. The latest overnight migrant activity coincided with a peak-time holiday weekend as the rail operator dealt with heavy passenger and freight demand.
The spokesman said Eurotunnel had to reform its timetable each morning after migrant activity and on an ordinary day could absorb delays quickly - but that was not possible at peak times. Mr Keefe said Eurotunnel had to reform its timetable each morning after migrant activity and on an ordinary day could absorb delays quickly - but that was not possible at peak times.
Talks were being held by MPs, Kent County Council, Kent Police, cross-channel operators and hauliers in Maidstone on Friday on how to deal with disruption. Talks were being held between MPs, Kent County Council, Kent Police, cross-channel operators and hauliers on Friday on how to deal with the disruption.
Earlier, Kent Police said Operation Stack - when French-bound lorries park on a closed section of the M20 to await crossings - was likely to remain in place until Sunday. The motorway is closed to all but freight between junctions eight and 11. Meanwhile, Kent's police and crime commissioner has called for national funding to deal with Operation Stack - when French-bound lorries park on a closed section of the M20 to await crossings.
Are you in the area? Did you witness any incidents around the Eurotunnel terminals? Have your travel plans been affected? Please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences. With the motorway currently closed to all but freight between junctions eight and 11 and restrictions set to remain in place until Sunday, Ann Barnes said the bill should not be picked up by Kent taxpayers as the situation had become a "chronic national problem". She added Kent has gone from being "Eden to Hell".
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