LIVE: Truckers Block Calais To Demand Closure Of Migrant Camp

Truckers, dock workers, farmers and residents of Calais have shut down main roads into the port town in Northern France, promising to continue the blockade until the French government begins to dismantle the illegal ‘Jungle’ migrant camp.

Police recently declared large areas of the town “no-go zone” after dark as migrant violence “peaked”. Cars and trucks have been attacked with chainsaws and knifes, with migrants deliberately causing crashes so they can board vehicles.

The population of the camp is now at 10,000, the highest since French authorities agreed to “demolish” parts of it six months ago, claiming their goal was to reduce the number of camp inhabitants to about 1,500.

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Update, 14:51 – BBC reporter Richard Galpin is talking to demonstrators live at the protest.

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Update, 13:55 – The truckers and farmers are now having a BBQ on the motorway.

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Update, 12:25 – Protestors have formed a human chain and roads remain blocked.

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Update, 11:25 – David Sagnard, president of FNTR national truck drivers’ federation, spoke to Reuters as the convoys, each with about 40 vehicles, set off.

“Before, it was just attempts to get on trucks. Now there is looting and wilful destruction, tarpaulins are slashed, goods stolen or destroyed … Drivers go to work with fear in their bellies and the economic consequences are severe,” he said.

Adding: “Before, it was just attempts to get on trucks. Now there is looting and wilful destruction, tarpaulins are slashed, goods stolen or destroyed … Drivers go to work with fear in their bellies and the economic consequences are severe.”

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Update, 11:20 – Eurotunnel has announced diversions and warned of delays.  

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Update, 11:15 – New photos show at least 300 protestors and dozens of tractors blocking roads.

Update, 10:30 – Arial footage shown on Sky News shows the extent of the delays caused by the “go slow” operation.

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Update, 10:00 – Watch the protest live on Periscope via Telegraph reporter David Chazan.

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Update, 9:55 – The main road into the Port of Calais has now been completely blocked by a crowd of hundreds of French businesses owners, local residence and a convoy of trucks.

The protest, dubbed Operation Escargot, is in opposition to official inaction over the huge and growing ‘Jungle’ illegal migrant camp and increasing violence faced by drivers and locals.

The original story from AP continues –

CALAIS, France (AP) — Truckers, dock workers, farmers and merchants are blocking a major highway in northern France to demand the closure of the Calais migrant camp known as the “jungle,” as its population surges and tensions rise.

Local authorities are urging travelers to avoid the area in hopes of limiting disruption from the Monday morning blockade, aimed at paralyzing traffic on the route used to access the Eurotunnel and port.

Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve announced Friday that the government would dismantle the camp “in a controlled operation” as soon as possible, but protesters want him to set a date.

The camp, currently home to at least 7,000 migrants from the Middle East and Africa trying to reach Britain, has epitomized the challenges of Europe’s migrant crisis. Authorities have tightened security and closed half of the camp, but the migrant population has reached record highs.

Truckers are frustrated by migrants’ attempts to hop into their vehicles to slip across the English Channel, and local businesses say the migrants have become an economic drain on the city. They are blocking the A16 highway, which is used by European transporters to reach Britain via Calais.

The local administration issued a statement Sunday urging people to avoid non-essential travel to the Calais area throughout the day.

Aid groups warn that a hasty shutdown of the camp would scatter the migrants, aggravate the city’s troubles and worsen the humanitarian drama. While the camp conditions are dismal, migrants have access to food distribution, showers and makeshift shops.

The government says about 7,000 migrants are living there, while aid groups estimate more than 9,000.