Trains from London to Europe have been turned back after reports of ‘protesters’ on the tracks, while roads in Calais are being set on alight after strike action by French Ferry Port workers. The perfect storm of incidents has rendered the English Channel effectively closed, with Britain’s Foreign Office telling drivers waiting at Calais to lock their doors to keep potentially violent, would-be migrants away.
Below is the story in pictures:
French riot police officers take position to drive out protesting French employees (unseen) of the company English Channel passenger and freight ferry company “MyFerryLink”, who block the railway tracks of the Eurostar Channel tunnel line, on June 23, 2015 in Calais, northern France. Eurotunnel said that train services had been suspended in both directions on June 23 after protesting French sailors got onto the tracks of the line that links France and Britain and torched tyres. AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN
French riot police officers take position to drive out protesting French employees (unseen) of the company English Channel passenger and freight ferry company “MyFerryLink”, who block the railway tracks of the Eurostar Channel tunnel line, on June 23, 2015 in Calais, northern France. Eurotunnel said that train services had been suspended in both directions on June 23 after protesting French sailors got onto the tracks of the line that links France and Britain and torched tyres. AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN
Migrants wait near the A16 highway as they try to access the Channel Tunnel on June 23, 2015 in Calais, northern France. AFP PHOTO PHILIPPE HUGUEN
Striking employees of the French company My Ferry Link, a cross-channel ferry service, stand in front of tyres set on fire as they block the access to the Channel Tunnel on June 23, 2015 in Calais, northern France.
A striking employee of the French company My Ferry Link, a cross-channel ferry service, sits on a tyre in front of tyres set on fire as he takes part in a blockade of the access to the Channel Tunnel on June 23, 2015 in Calais, northern France. AFP PHOTO PHILIPPE HUGUEN
Striking employees of the French company My Ferry Link, a cross-channel ferry service, prepare to set tyres on fire to block the access to the Channel Tunnel on June 23, 2015 in Calais, northern France. AFP PHOTO PHILIPPE HUGUEN
Migrants walk on the A16 highway as they try to access the Channel Tunnel on June 23, 2015 in Calais, northern France. AFP PHOTO PHILIPPE HUGUEN
A police officer sprays tear gas to migrants trying to access the Channel Tunnel on the A16 highway on June 23, 2015 in Calais, northern France. AFP PHOTO PHILIPPE HUGUEN
Protesting French employees of the company English Channel passenger and freight ferry company “MyFerryLink” block the railway tracks of the Eurostar Channel tunnel line with a blockade of burning tyres and plastic barriers, on June 23, 2015 in Calais, northern France. Eurotunnel said that train services had been suspended in both directions on June 23 after protesting French sailors got onto the tracks of the line that links France and Britain and torched tyres. AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN
Migrants climb in the back of a lorry on the A16 highway leading to the Eurotunnel on June 23, 2015 in Calais, northern France. Some of the thousands of illegal immigrants camped in Calais and desperately trying to cross the Channel to reach Britain took advantage of a protest by French sailors blocking access roads to the Channel Tunnel on June 23 to climb onto stationery vehicles, said an AFP reporter on the scene. AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE HUGUEN