51 hurt in clashes between migrants in Calais, north of France
Clashes between migrant groups in Calais left dozens of people hurt on Tuesday.
Issued on: Modified:
Fifty-one people were hurt on Tuesday morning during clashes between groups of migrants, in the French port of Calais. One of them was seriously injured and flown to hospital by helicopter.
Fighting broke out on Monday evening, and continued during the night. According to a port worker, about 300 people were involved in the battles early in the morning.
Fighting took place between groups of mainly Eritrean and Sudanese migrants who were seeking to cross the English Channel to the United Kingdom.
During Sunday evening, the fighting had already left 13 people injured near the port of Calais.
More than a hundred policemen were mobilized since Sunday to stem the unrest.
Local authorities said that the number of migrants in the port of Calais increased by 50% in the last several months. Since the beginning of the year, more than 7,500 illegal immigrants were arrested while they were trying to cross to Great Britain from Calais.
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning
Subscribe