A wall three meters high is being erected around a petrol station of the Total oil group in Calais , according to Euronews . The barrier is supposed to block access to a parking lot where human traffickers wait for migrants who want to go to the United Kingdom in trucks.
The photographs seen on Twitter revealed the construction ordered by Total together with the prefecture. Newspaper Nord Littoral posted a picture of the wall on its social media page.
The location of this particular petrol station means that it is frequently visited by migrants, many of whom are trying to reach ferries to the English port of Dover.
The prefecture of Pas-de-Calais said that the construction of the wall surrounding the service station is being coordinated with the Total group.
“The construction of the wall is the result of the presence on this site of migrants and traffickers,” said the prefect of Pas-de-Calais, Fabien Sudry, as quoted by the media. Traffickers “take advantage of this station near the port to get migrants in the trucks.”
Total confirmed that the construction was launched at the request of the prefecture to “protect customers, staff and migrants” who stop at the station.
Meanwhile, sixteen male migrants have been detained after three small boats landed on UK shores, authorities said.
Six migrants were detained after earlier being spotted on a beach in Kingsdown, north east of Dover.
The men have being taken for questioning by immigration officials on Sunday, the UK Home Office confirmed.
The latest incident comes after a recent spike in the number of migrants attempting to cross the English Channel from France in small vessels.
Home Secretary Sajid Javid cut short his Christmas break last month to deal with what he described as a “major incident” at sea, expressing his = “grave concern” that migrants continue to attempt the dangerous crossing.
A coastguard spokeswoman told The Express that they had been assisting the Border Force on Sunday morning, adding: “HM Coastguard is committed to safeguarding life around the seas and coastal areas of this country.
“We are only concerned with preservation of life, rescuing those in trouble and bringing them safely back to shore, where they will be handed over to the relevant partner emergency services or authorities.”
An estimated 600 migrants are currently waiting in the French town, according to reports. Earlier this month migrants set fire to a truck in an attempt to ambush the vehicle.
According to French officials, a Bulgarian driver seriously injured after being dragged from his his truck which was set on fire.