Two unidentified young migrants get off a bus as they arrive at Lunar House, which houses the headquarters of UK Visas and Immigration, in Croydon, south London, Monday, Oct. 17, 2016. Fourteen children who have been living in a border refugee camp in northern France have arrived in Britain to be reunited with their families. Under pressure from charities, religious leaders and French authorities, Britain has agreed to accept scores of children from Calais. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

From air, few signs of French migrant camp’s imminent end

PARIS – Looking at the so-called “jungle” migrant camp in Calais from the air, it’s hard to imagine that it is set to disappear within weeks.

Winding alleys of multi-colored tents and makeshift shelters surround tidy rows of container housing, all stretching across muddy fields toward the dunes of the English Channel.

With a population the size of a small town — between 6,000 and 10,000 people still live there — the camp has taken on a feeling of permanence since it sprang up 18 months ago.

Amid health and safety concerns, authorities have promised to shut the camp and are gradually relocating migrants to temporary housing around France.

The most pressing issue is where to send the minors from the camp, which has become a dismal symbol of Europe’s migrant crisis.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles