‘Humanitarian crisis’ as migrants hit by infections

TIJUANA’S authorities are increasingly concerned about the spread of diseases in the city as 5,000 members of the migrant “caravan” camp in temporary shelters, awaiting the chance to apply for asylum in the United States.

The government of Baja California – the state in which the Mexican border city lies – says hundreds of Central American migrants have been treated for respiratory infections and other ailments. On Friday they reported treating 818 respiratory infections and providing 1,286 general medical consultations to members of the caravan, who are living in a converted sports centre. Juan Manuel Gastélum, mayor of the border city, has declared a humanitarian crisis and appealed to the United Nations for help.

Yesterday it was reported that the new Mexican government, to be inaugurated on December 1, had agreed a deal with the US whereby asylum seekers would wait in Mexico while their claims were processed.

Olga Sanchez Cordero, the incoming interior minister, said the Remain In Mexico deal was “short term”, and had not yet been signed.

Stormy waters Lightning over the Mediterranean near the city of Ashkelon, Israel, where a man was killed this month by a rocket fired by Palestinian militants in Gaza.