Fresh calls for action after 150 migrants try to storm Channel Tunnel

Fresh calls have been made to solve the crisis in Calais after around 150 migrants tried to storm the Channel Tunnel terminal in northern France in a bid to board UK-bound freight trains. Traffic along the Channel Tunnel was disrupted overnight after migrants tried to enter the terminal in Calais, France. The bold attempt by migrants to storm the terminal led to renewed calls for authorities to act to solve the worsening crisis, which is costing the UK economy millions of pounds. The Fresh Produce Consortium estimates that £10 million of fresh fruit and vegetables have been thrown away since the start of the year as a result of the problems in Calais.

Check with operator if heading to Channel Tunnel as services disrupted.

Kent Police tweet

Dan Cook, operations director of Europa Worldwide Group, a transport, distribution and logistics company, said “marauding mobs” were effectively halting British trade to the continent. Some 3,000 migrants are currently camped out around Calais and are trying to cross the Channel into Britain. France and Britain agreed in September to create a fund of €5m (£3.5m) per year to help Calais cope with the influx of migrants by reinforcing security around the port and the Channel Tunnel entrance. Volunteers from the charity L'Auberge des Migrants say up to 50 new migrants were arriving every day at the camp, and there were not enough tents, blankets or food.

We have had vehicles on the motorway in broad daylight being surrounded by marauding mobs racing around, opening doors, cutting trailers, climbing into the back.

Dan Cook, transport company boss

World Channel Tunnel