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| Bibby Stockholm barge migrants being moved over Legionella bacteria fears | Bibby Stockholm barge migrants being moved over Legionella bacteria fears |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The news will be a blow to a flagship part of the government's plan to deter Channel crossings by migrants | The news will be a blow to a flagship part of the government's plan to deter Channel crossings by migrants |
| Migrants are being temporarily removed from the Bibby Stockholm barge after traces of Legionella bacteria were found in the on-board water system. | Migrants are being temporarily removed from the Bibby Stockholm barge after traces of Legionella bacteria were found in the on-board water system. |
| The news comes just four days after the first migrants on board were moved on to the barge, moored in Dorset. | The news comes just four days after the first migrants on board were moved on to the barge, moored in Dorset. |
| Legionella is the bacteria that can cause Legionnaires disease - a type of pneumonia. | Legionella is the bacteria that can cause Legionnaires disease - a type of pneumonia. |
| The Home Office said the 39 migrants already aboard were being disembarked to allow assessments to be carried out. | The Home Office said the 39 migrants already aboard were being disembarked to allow assessments to be carried out. |
| It has not yet been revealed where those disembarking will be moved to temporarily. | It has not yet been revealed where those disembarking will be moved to temporarily. |
| The BBC has been told that, while migrants have used the vessel's water supply, none have so far shown symptoms, but are being removed from the barge as a precaution. | |
| The disembarkments will fuel further criticism from campaigners and refugee charities that have opposed the use of the Bibby Stockholm. | The disembarkments will fuel further criticism from campaigners and refugee charities that have opposed the use of the Bibby Stockholm. |
| The vessel - moored at Portland Port on the south coast - is part of the government's wider plan to "stop the boats" and deter Channel crossings by migrants, who then claim asylum in the UK. | The vessel - moored at Portland Port on the south coast - is part of the government's wider plan to "stop the boats" and deter Channel crossings by migrants, who then claim asylum in the UK. |
| Ministers say it will help cut the cost of housing asylum seekers being accommodated in hotels and have described the barge as "perfectly acceptable", albeit basic, as a place to live in. | |
| Inside the Bibby Stockholm asylum seekers barge | Inside the Bibby Stockholm asylum seekers barge |
| First asylum seekers board Bibby Stockholm barge | First asylum seekers board Bibby Stockholm barge |
| Asylum seekers describe life on Bibby Stockholm | Asylum seekers describe life on Bibby Stockholm |
| However, the initiative had already suffered a shaky start after delays over safety concerns and legal challenges had frustrated ministers' attempts to ramp up the numbers of people boarding the barge. | However, the initiative had already suffered a shaky start after delays over safety concerns and legal challenges had frustrated ministers' attempts to ramp up the numbers of people boarding the barge. |
| The government eventually plans to house up to 500 men aged 18-65 on Bibby Stockholm while they await the outcome of asylum applications. | The government eventually plans to house up to 500 men aged 18-65 on Bibby Stockholm while they await the outcome of asylum applications. |
| The BBC has been told that routine testing of the boat was done before migrants moved in. But the test results showing traces of the bacteria have only come back this week. | The BBC has been told that routine testing of the boat was done before migrants moved in. But the test results showing traces of the bacteria have only come back this week. |
| Further testing has been done - by Dorset Council's environmental health team - and it is expected that migrants will be moved back only if and when the water supply is completely clear of contamination. | Further testing has been done - by Dorset Council's environmental health team - and it is expected that migrants will be moved back only if and when the water supply is completely clear of contamination. |
| Watch: Inside the housing barge after first asylum seekers board | Watch: Inside the housing barge after first asylum seekers board |
| Watch: Inside the housing barge after first asylum seekers board | Watch: Inside the housing barge after first asylum seekers board |
| Government sources have said they are complying with the UK Health Security Agency guidance and have gone "above and beyond" what has been recommended by removing people from the barge temporarily. | Government sources have said they are complying with the UK Health Security Agency guidance and have gone "above and beyond" what has been recommended by removing people from the barge temporarily. |
| A Home Office spokesman said: "No individuals on board have presented with symptoms of Legionnaires', and asylum seekers are being provided with appropriate advice and support. | A Home Office spokesman said: "No individuals on board have presented with symptoms of Legionnaires', and asylum seekers are being provided with appropriate advice and support. |
| "The samples taken relate only to the water system on the vessel itself and therefore carry no direct risk indication for the wider community of Portland nor do they relate to fresh water entering the vessel. Legionnaires' disease does not spread from person to person." | "The samples taken relate only to the water system on the vessel itself and therefore carry no direct risk indication for the wider community of Portland nor do they relate to fresh water entering the vessel. Legionnaires' disease does not spread from person to person." |
| Campaigners were quick to hit out at the government over the development. | Campaigners were quick to hit out at the government over the development. |
| A charity representing asylum-seekers, Care4Calais, said its concerns over the safety of the barge had been justified. The charity is supporting a number of asylum seekers in legal challenges against being moved to the barge. | A charity representing asylum-seekers, Care4Calais, said its concerns over the safety of the barge had been justified. The charity is supporting a number of asylum seekers in legal challenges against being moved to the barge. |
| Alex Bailey from the Say No To The Barge campaign group said the news was "another example of the haphazard, incompetent way our government has approached this scheme from start to finish". | Alex Bailey from the Say No To The Barge campaign group said the news was "another example of the haphazard, incompetent way our government has approached this scheme from start to finish". |
| Immigration minister Robert Jenrick is understood to have been chairing meetings about the situation. | Immigration minister Robert Jenrick is understood to have been chairing meetings about the situation. |
| Earlier this week he described accommodation on board the barge as "decent" but said there was "not a menu of options" for those seeking state-funded help as they sought asylum. | Earlier this week he described accommodation on board the barge as "decent" but said there was "not a menu of options" for those seeking state-funded help as they sought asylum. |
| "We've got to be fair to the taxpayers as well as decent and compassionate to the individuals concerned." | "We've got to be fair to the taxpayers as well as decent and compassionate to the individuals concerned." |
| What are the risks of Legionella bacteria? | What are the risks of Legionella bacteria? |
| Legionella bacteria can cause a serious infection called Legionnaires' disease | Legionella bacteria can cause a serious infection called Legionnaires' disease |
| The bacteria are normally found in rivers and lakes, but can grow inside water tanks and plumbing systems | The bacteria are normally found in rivers and lakes, but can grow inside water tanks and plumbing systems |
| Problems emerge when people breathe in infected water and the bacteria get into the lungs | Problems emerge when people breathe in infected water and the bacteria get into the lungs |
| Showers that create a mist of water carrying the Legionella bacteria would pose a risk | Showers that create a mist of water carrying the Legionella bacteria would pose a risk |
| Once in the lungs, the bacteria lead to pneumonia and symptoms can include a cough, shortness of breath and a fever | Once in the lungs, the bacteria lead to pneumonia and symptoms can include a cough, shortness of breath and a fever |
| People infected will need antibiotics and, in more severe cases, oxygen support | People infected will need antibiotics and, in more severe cases, oxygen support |
| Follow BBC South on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk. | Follow BBC South on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk. |
| You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on Twitter to get the latest alerts. | You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on Twitter to get the latest alerts. |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| UK immigration | UK immigration |
| Portland | Portland |
| Migration | Migration |