Mass exodus of Calais ‘jungle’ begins

THE mass exodus of refugees and migrants from the Calais “jungle” camp has begun.

Crowds surged towards the warehouse where processing was taking place as police opened the gates at 7am today.

Police vans and fire engines had gathered on the perimeter of the rat-infested slum as migrants and refugees queued in the dark to register for accommodation centres in France after being told they must leave the camp or risk arrest and deportation.

People in the queues said they had no idea where they were going but many seemed resigned to leaving the camp, where demolition work is expected to begin tomorrow.

The atmosphere in the queues was in contrast to scenes at the weekend when there were violent clashes, with camp residents throwing stones at French riot police.

The Care4Calais refugee crisis charity said it was hoping for a peaceful day after it supplied people with thousands of rucksacks and worked to prepare them psychologically for today’s mass eviction.

Government-organised buses were expected to take thousands of the camp’s residents to temporary reception centres where they will have to claim asylum in France.

French President Francois Hollande announced last month the camp will close before winter, with its estimated 6,500 inhabitants dispersed around the country.