Demolition of Calais ‘Jungle’ camp begins

The dismantling of the “Jungle” camp in Calais began overnight, with workers escorted by scores of French police officers to begin demolishing shacks and tents emptied of migrants being bussed to centres around France.

They tore down wooden shacks and used earth-moving equipment to carry debris away from the sprawling camp that people have used for years as a launchpad for attempts to reach Britain.

About 2000 migrants left voluntarily on Monday, and more followed yesterday.

The “Jungle” housed close to 7000 residents in squalid conditions and has become a key symbol of Europe’s migration crisis.

The operation to close the camp has been largely peaceful, but there are concern some migrants will refuse to leave as they attempt to cross the channel and get into the UK.

The camp is expected to be cleared by Friday.

With AFP