French police and migrants clash at Calais

  • 02/10/2016
Migrants protesting the closure of the migrant camp known as the Jungle (Reuters)
Migrants protesting the closure of the migrant camp known as the Jungle (Reuters)

French police have fired tear gas and a water cannon at migrants and protesters who gathered in defiance of a ban outside the shanty town near Calais known as the Jungle.

About 200 migrants and some 50 protesters assembled under a bridge on Saturday to protest against living conditions in the nearby camp that President Francois Hollande has vowed to close by the end of the year.

French police and migrants clash at Calais

(Reuters)

Migrants were seen waving the Union Jack flag and holding signs says "I am a refugee" and "Miss May tear down this wall", referring to British Prime Minister Theresa May.

Police clashed with migrants as they pushed them back to the camp while activists threw stones at the security forces.

Another 150 protesters who left Paris on Saturday aboard four coaches were blocked by police at a toll road about 48 km short of the northern port.

French police and migrants clash at Calais

(Reuters)

Thousands of migrants fleeing war and poverty, from Afghanistan to Syria, have converged on Calais over the past two years.

Many attempt to sneak onto trains using the Channel Tunnel or freight trucks heading to Britain, where they hope to settle.

French police and migrants clash at Calais

(Reuters)

The presence of the migrants has led to tension with some residents and a permanent police deployment.

Reuters