French police have swiftly dismantled a migrant camp in Calais, believed to be the staging ground for an overcrowded boat that tragically capsized in the English Channel, resulting in the deaths of 12 individuals.
The early morning raid carried out just 24 hours after the disaster, saw officers arriving in a convoy of vans to clear the illegal encampment located at Petit Courgain on the outskirts of Calais. The camp, which housed around 500 people, primarily from Eritrea, was stripped of tents and personal belongings. Some survivors of the tragedy were reportedly relocated to a site in the South of France, hundreds of miles away.
The camp had been a focal point for migrants attempting to reach Britain via dangerous sea crossings. The tragic incident on Tuesday saw an overcrowded boat capsize, throwing more than 50 people into the Channel’s waters. Among those rescued was 17-year-old Hildia from Eritrea, who witnessed the drowning of a pregnant woman and spoke of her profound grief and shock.
Aid organizations condemned the timing of the raid, criticizing authorities for targeting the Eritrean community’s primary site amid ongoing mourning. Care4Calais, a migrant support group, described the police operation as “cruel” and “brutal,” highlighting the loss of personal possessions and the destruction of makeshift shelters.
Despite the crackdown, many migrants have already begun re-establishing a new camp at the same location, supported by humanitarian workers who arrived with supplies. Young migrants, including Ali from Chad, expressed their determination to continue their perilous journey to Britain despite the dangers.
The police investigation into the boat disaster is ongoing, focusing on alleged human traffickers from the Middle East. Authorities are examining bus transport records and financial transactions to trace those responsible for organizing the deadly crossing. There are also reports that the inflatable dinghy may have been tampered with, leading to potential charges of manslaughter or even mass murder.
The tragic incident underscores the persistent dangers faced by migrants attempting to cross the English Channel and highlights the ongoing tensions and challenges in managing migration and asylum processes.
