Calais violence is 'unbearable' as five migrants shot in huge brawl
Gunmen are being hunted after the bloodbath put 22 migrants in hospital, in the town that serves as a gateway to the UK. The violence left four Eritreans in critical condition in intensive care, with injuries including gunshot wounds in the neck, chest, abdomen and spine. Surgeons fought to save their lives after a series of fights between mainly Afghans and Eritreans, authorities said. No arrests have been made.
Police are searching for a 37-year-old Afghan suspected of being involved in the shootings. Shots were first fired yesterday as between roughly 100 Eritreans and around 30 Afghans queued for free meals at a distribution point near a hospital at around 3.30pm French time. A second fight then broke out at an industrial site roughly three miles away,. More than 100 African migrants armed with iron rods and sticks attacked a group of around 20 Afghans, prosecutors said.
EPA Emergency workers help an injured victim of the violence in Calais yesterday
EPA A group of migrants can be seen carrying sticks in Calais during the flare-ups yesterday
Authorities said French police intervened to protect the Afghans. The violence comes two weeks after President Emmanuel Macron visited Calais to say migrant camps like the “Jungle” that was razed in 2016 must not be rebuilt. Mr Macron also travelled to the UK where Prime Minister Theresa May agreed to pay more to help stop migrants reaching the UK, and to take in more minors who are without their family. French Interior Minister Gérard Collomb visited the scene of the violence near a food distribution point.
AFP/GETTY IMAGES Migrants queue up for food from a distribution point last year
Migrant 'children' from 'Jungle Camp' arrive in the UK Wed, October 19, 2016 Migrant 'children' from the 'Jungle Camp' in Calais arrive in the UK to be reunited with relatives. Play slideshow 1 of 26