Tents, shelters set ablaze as Calais migrant camp cleared

French authorities say they've cleared the large Calais migrant camp days earlier than planned.

A local official in the region, Fabienne Buccio, said Wednesday that their mission has been accomplished. Thousands fleeing war and poverty have lived in squalor at the camp as many waited for a chance to go to Britain.

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Buccio said, "there are no more migrants in the camp. Our mission has been fulfilled."

Authorities moved quickly to dismantle the rest of the camp, sometimes known as the 'jungle,' after migrants set fire to shelters and tents before being forced to leave.

But many migrants were seen milling around despite the announcement. Authorities said they would stop processing people by Wednesday evening.

Migrants have flocked to the Calais region for decades, but the camp has grown as Europe's migrant crisis expanded. As it evolved into a massive slum supported by aid groups, France finally decided to shut it down.

As the reality of the mass evacuation took hold, fearful migrants from Afghanistan, Sudan, Eritrea, Syria and Pakistan braced for a new reality. Some pledged to just keep moving.

"This jungle is no good," said Muhammad Afridi, 20, from Pakistan. "We go to a new jungle."

More than 4,000 migrants, who had come to Calais hoping to cross the short stretch of sea to Britain by trying to leap on trucks and trains or walk through the tunnel, have been bussed out of the camp and relocated around France.

Fires set

Overnight and again around midday Wednesday, large fires were set amid the wood, plastic and fabric of the camp and vast plumes of smoke rose about the site.

The main alley through the camp burned overnight, leaving skeleton-like hulks on either side of the road. Firefighters delved into the camp's deepest recesses, trying to prevent a massive conflagration.

Calais 'jungle' burns

8 years ago

Duration 0:50

Refugee camp set ablaze as migrants are moved out

Gas canisters popped as they exploded in the heat. One aid group's truck burst into flames.

Migrants stood and watched. Some laughed.

Steve Barbet, a spokesman for the regional authorities, said one migrant was hospitalized. About 100 migrants were evacuated.

Late on Tuesday, Buccio said it was difficult to prevent the fires, which became something of a ritual earlier this year when one section of the camp was partly dismantled.

"Some migrants follow traditions — we asked them not to do it — but they set ablaze their tents and their shelters when they leave," she said. "We told them not to do it, but some ... do it anyway. We are on standby, the fire brigade is in the vicinity to guarantee security and to prevent the fire from spreading."

Dream of reaching U.K. 

People fleeing poverty and war outside Europe have over the past few years congregated at Calais, the main port of entry to Britain from France. They have continued to come despite the high fences built over past months to keep them from crossing, and despite Britain's refusal to accept the vast majority of them.

For children who may be accepted by the British government, a separate facility has been set up.

As the queue of mostly male adults formed in the morning fog outside a processing centre, some refused to accept that their dream of reaching Britain was over. Hamid, 30, from Afghanistan, said he had been among those setting fire to shelters.

"We don't care about problems that are to come after this. We did it because we don't want to stay in France. We want to go to England and England only. It doesn't matter if I go to jail here."