Tourists on coach in Calais capture migrants breaking into lorry on its way to Dover
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Version 0 of 1. With British freight officials claiming drivers are dealing with a "war zone" in Calais as migrants attempt to board lorries in their hundreds, a video from shocked tourists in France provides a glimpse into what the situation looks like on the ground. The video, filmed by Jenny NZ, shows the New Zealand tourist in a coach stuck in traffic in Calais, as around thirty migrants swarm around the back of a lorry in front of their vehicle. The tour leader can be heard telling the tourists, "Don't panic guys; we've locked all the doors and all that. And basically what the hold up here is that um, there's actually some migrants..." The guide then trails off as a few migrants begin trying to break into the side of the lorry by pulling off panels by the wheels of the vehicle. Earlier in the video, several men can be seen opening the back doors of the lorry and climbing inside, manoeuvring around large white boxes inside and squeezing into gaps along the side of the lorry. The tourists on board the coach can be heard saying, "They're going to run over someone" and "We've seen this stuff on TV." The video emerged after the Freight Transport Association (FTA) wrote to the Mayor of Calais calling for France and Britain, as well as the EU Commission, to solve the growing problem facing lorry drivers travelling between the French port and Dover. There are around 3,000 refugees from countries like Somalia and Syria around Calais at the moment, with the FTA stating that this had caused an increase in the number of confrontations between drivers and migrants and had forced some hauliers to take 100-mile detours to avoid Calais all together. FTA deputy chief executive James Hookham said the issue was causing lengthy delays at the crossing, and the video from the New Zealand tourists shows the traffic being caused as migrants race onto the road and try to search for a vehicle to board. Mr Hookham said: "We are pressing for more visible commitment from the French government to criminal activities on French soil and their responsibilities for the protection of British drivers while in their jurisdiction. "We are expecting further work with the Home Office and Border Agency on specific topics in the coming weeks. This is an issue that requires committed and proactive attention by Government, hauliers and their customers." Additional reporting by the Press Association. |