French government pledge infamous Calais Jungle camp housing 10,000 will be destroyed
Two new camps will be set up in Paris, plus more in Marseille, Lyon, and another at Channel port Cherbourg
INFAMOUS Calais camp The Jungle will be torn down and its inhabitants moved elsewhere in France, the French government promised yesterday.
In its place, two new camps will be set up in Paris, as well as centres in Marseille, Lyon – and the Channel port of Cherbourg.
Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve made the announcement hours after the camp was rocked by fresh violence.
Two Afghan men aged 22 and 24 were injured as they battled for a prime spot to sneak aboard trucks bound for Britain.
Gangs of masked youths had lit fires, to slow down traffic to boost their chances of sneaking on to British-bound vehicles.
There are now believed to be 10,000 people there, though the official number is 7,000.
Yesterday, inhabitants vowed they would not be put off trying to make it to Britain.
A road in the camp has even been named Theresa May Street in honour of the leader of the country they are determined to come to.
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Samir, 26, from Afghanistan, said: “Every night I try to get on a truck. I’ve been close but I have been found at the checks.
“It is possible to get through because many of my friends are now in London. They did the same as me. They hid on a truck and got through.
“It’s all about luck. One day I will be lucky.”
So far, Britain has handed over more than £80million to help pay for security in the camp.
Meanwhile, there are fears of chaos for travellers on Monday as truckers, French businesses and locals plan a blockade on the A16 motorway leading to Calais.
Two 7am marches are planned, one leaving from Boulogne and the other from Dunkirk.
They will then meet outside Calais, in a protest dubbed Operation Snail, to demand action against rising migrant attacks.
Motorists have been advised to keep their doors locked and windows up as they drive through Calais and ensure all caravans, trailers and campers are secured.