Migrant Chaos at Victoria Station After Manston Release
About 40 migrants were moved from the overcrowded Manston processing centre on Tuesday, heading to London to stay with friends and family. But 11 were left stranded at Victoria railway station with nowhere to go.
Manston Centre Overrun and Under Fire
The government faces fresh criticism after reports emerged that Manston held migrants—including families—for up to four weeks, far beyond the 24-hour legal limit. The centre, which should hold no more than 1,600 at once, reportedly crammed in around 4,000 people on Monday, according to the local MP.
Distress at Victoria Station
Volunteer Danial Abbas from charity Under One Sky spotted a group of migrants looking confused and desperate outside Victoria station on Tuesday evening. “It was freezing, many were in flip-flops without jackets,” he said. All wore Home Office-issued wristbands with QR codes and carried only blue plastic bags.
“They were hungry, broke, and begging for tea, coffee, and soup,” Danial added. He arranged a McDonald’s meal and bought over 80 items of clothing—including gloves, shoes, and caps—from Primark to help them.
The migrants, from Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq, thought they were being taken to a London hotel and were excited to leave the dreadful conditions at Manston.
Health Concerns and Official Response
Manston has also seen cases of diphtheria, a highly contagious disease, heightening fears over migrant welfare. Danial contacted the NGO Migrant Help, who described the situation as “absolutely inappropriate.”
The group was eventually picked up just after 1am on Wednesday and transported to a hotel in Norwich.
Police and Charity Partners Step In
British Transport Police responded to reports of asylum seekers needing aid at Victoria station around 10:30pm on Tuesday. Officers worked closely with charity groups, rail staff, and government officials to secure overnight housing.
A police spokesperson said no crimes were committed during the incident.
“It is disturbing to hear about this; and if this was actually the case, then, of course, our sympathies go to the folks who have been put in this predicament through no fault of their own,” said Migrant Help.
