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Witness the Fiery Destruction of a French Migrant Camp

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Migrants keep warm around a fire in a trash can as authorities dismantle shacks in the "Jungle" camp in Calais, France, March 1, 2016.
Migrants keep warm around a fire in a trash can as authorities dismantle shacks in the "Jungle" camp in Calais, France, March 1, 2016.Philippe Huguen—AFP/Getty Images
By Andrew Katz
Updated: | Originally published: ;

Authorities dismantled part of a makeshift migrant camp known as “the Jungle” in the northern French port city of Calais on Monday. The tense scene that resulted in several huts being set ablaze and activists clashing with police.

The camp has for years served as a jumping-off point for migrants trying to make it to the U.K., given the camp’s proximity to the Eurotunnel. An estimated 4,000 people live in the camp, according to the Associated Press. French authorities said that between 800 and 1000 people were affected by the demolition, while human rights groups said that 3,000 people were affected.

At least three activists were arrested during the demolition, according to the AP, but no one was injured.

A shelter burns at the start of the demolition of part of the "Jungle" migrant camp in Calais, northern France, Feb. 29, 2016.
A shelter burns at the start of the demolition of part of the "Jungle" migrant camp in Calais, northern France, Feb. 29, 2016.Laurent Dubrule—EPA
A refugee watches a shelter burn during the start of the expulsion of a part of the "Jungle" migrant camp in Calais, France, Feb. 29, 2016.
A refugee watches a shelter burn during the start of the expulsion of a part of the "Jungle" migrant camp in Calais, France, Feb. 29, 2016.Laurent Dubrule—EPA
Police officers stand next to a water canon as it is fires at activists and migrants as part of the "Jungle" migrant camp is cleared in Calais, France, Feb. 29, 2016. Authorities began dismantling part of the encampment and relocating them to other accommodations nearby.
Police officers stand next to a water canon as it is fires at activists and migrants as part of the "Jungle" migrant camp is cleared in Calais, France, Feb. 29, 2016. Authorities began dismantling part of the encampment and relocating them to other accommodations nearby.Carl Court—Getty Images
An activist is sprayed with a water cannon as part of the "Jungle" migrant camp is cleared in Calais, France, Feb. 29, 2016.
An activist is sprayed with a water cannon as part of the "Jungle" migrant camp is cleared in Calais, France, Feb. 29, 2016.Carl Court—Getty Images
A migrant attempts to extinguish a fire as a shelter burns as police officers clear part of the "Jungle" migrant camp in Calais, France, Feb. 29, 2016.
A migrant attempts to extinguish a fire as a shelter burns as police officers clear part of the "Jungle" migrant camp in Calais, France, Feb. 29, 2016.Carl Court—Getty Images
A bulldozer dismantles shelters in the "Jungle" migrant camp in the northern port city of Calais, France, Feb. 29, 2016.
A bulldozer dismantles shelters in the "Jungle" migrant camp in the northern port city of Calais, France, Feb. 29, 2016.Philippe Huguen—AFP/Getty Images
Migrants keep warm around a fire in a trash can as authorities dismantle shacks in the "Jungle" camp in Calais, France, March 1, 2016.
Migrants keep warm around a fire in a trash can as authorities dismantle shacks in the "Jungle" camp in Calais, France, March 1, 2016.Philippe Huguen—AFP/Getty Images

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