Witness the Fiery Destruction of a French Migrant Camp
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.Philippe Huguen—AFP/Getty Images
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.Laurent Dubrule—EPAA 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—EPAPolice 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 ImagesAn 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 ImagesA 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 ImagesA bulldozer dismantles shelters in the "Jungle" migrant camp in the northern port city of Calais, France, Feb. 29, 2016.Philippe Huguen—AFP/Getty ImagesMigrants 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