Calais port shuts for hours after migrants dive into the sea and try to SWIM to UK-bound car ferries

Migrants were seen rushing into sea to try to cling onto UK-bound ferries

Early morning incident caused port of Calais to shut down for two hours

Customs boats and fishing vessels took to waters to search for migrants

By PETER ALLEN PUBLISHED: 08:38 GMT, 18 June 2016 | UPDATED: 15:26 GMT, 18 June 2016

The port of Calais was shut down for almost two hours today after migrants were spotted swimming in the sea as they tried to clamber aboard UK-bound car ferries.

Migrants rushed into waters during the early hours of this morning in a desperate bid to reach the UK.

One dock worker said: 'It's a tactic that we haven't seen much of in the past, and it shows the desperation of those involved.



Migrants rushed into waters at Calais port during the early hours of this morning in a desperate bid to reach the UK (file photo)

'Migrants are risking their lives in the middle of the night, and everything had to be done to ensure their safety.

'All traffic was halted at 2.20 in the morning, as a search and rescue operation got underway, with helicopters and boats involved.

'Those plucked out of the water were rushed to hospital, and traffic was not allowed to move again until past 4am.'

Customs boats, fishing vessels and other crafts were also involved in the search for migrants in the water, indicating the extent of the problems.

Up to 5000 migrants are currently living rough in the Calais areas as they try to get to Britain, where they will claim asylum, or disappear into the black economy.

Security has been improved in Calais port, and around the Channel Tunnel, leading to migrants making more desperate attempts to reach Dover.

Figures released last month show that the number who successfully smuggled themselves across to England on ferries more than doubled in the past three years.

Ministers disclosed that the number of 'clandestine entrants' who made their way into Britain through Dover and other ports has risen from 1,432 in 2013 to 2,935 last year.

Experts said that the true figures are likely to be significantly higher as many illegal immigrants disappear after entering the UK.


Up to 5000 migrants are currently living rough in the Calais areas as they try to get to Britain


CALAIS CALAMITY: AID CONVOY HELD IN DOVER AFTER BEING REFUSED ENTRY TO FRANCE

An aid convoy filled with 250 vehicles is being held at the port of Dover after being refused entry to France by authorities.

Organised by a number of campaign groups including the People's Assembly and Stop the War Coalition, the convoy left London this morning - only to be prevented from boarding ferries to Calais by French authorities.

The lorries, cars and minibuses were carrying aid donations for refugees and migrants living in the Calais Jungle camp.

People at the port were snapped and videoed chanting and holding signs saying 'refugees welcome' and 'solidarity with refugees'.

Earlier shadow chancellor John McDonnell tweeted in support of the convoy, posting: 'Sending solidarity to @pplsassembly #ConvoytoCalais. As @HackneyAbbott said 'a beacon of hope at the end of a dark week'.'

Spokesman for the People's Assembly Steve Sweeney said the convoy was separated from the rest of the ferry traffic when it arrived.

He said: 'It seems like a concerted effort stopping us from making the crossing. All the vehicles have been moved into a separate lane, it's incredible.

'A few cars have made it to France but they are being stopped there apparently.'

He added they had been told it was 'unlikely' they would be allowed to cross.

In a statement the prefecture of Pas-de-Calais cited a number of reasons for issuing the ban, including the potential for it to 'generate violent episodes' and the lack of police officers available because of the ongoing European Championships.

They also said the numbers of vehicles involved may 'facilitate the intrusion of migrants'.
Lord Green of Deddington, the chairman of Migration Watch UK who obtained the figures, said last month: 'Despite all the efforts that have been made to tighten up security in Calais these figures show that the number getting through and later detected has doubled in three years.

'There are bound to be others who are never detected and simply disappear.

'This points to the likelihood that there are similar inflows from Belgium and Holland and indeed from other French ports.'

The Home Office revealed that over the past three years more than 7,000 people have made their way into Britain through ferry ports.

Just over half of them were caught at ferry ports, while the remainder were discovered elsewhere in the UK.

Calais port shuts for hours after migrants dive into the sea and try to SWIM to UK-bound car ferries