French authorities: 'Jungle' camp cleared

French authorities said yesterday that they had finished clearing the “Jungle”, a shanty town outside Calais built by migrants who had hoped to cross to Britain but who are now mostly being dispersed around France.

The operation passed off peacefully for the most part, though some migrants torched tents and shelters in a last act of defiance as their hopes of a new life in Britain evaporated.

“This is the end of the ‘Jungle’,” Calais regional prefect Fabienne Buccio said. “Mission accomplished.”

A total of 5,596 adults and children have been brought from the cold and damp of the Jungle for resettlement, the interior and housing ministries said in a joint statement.

That figure includes 234 minors taken to the United Kingdom since last week, the ministries said. The transit centre on site remained open on Wednesday night for migrants wishing to be resettled in one of 450 reception centres scattered across France.

Earlier in the day, riot police spread out around the camp, and fire trucks moved in to put out blazes that sent plumes of smoke into the sky.

Migrants fleeing poverty and war in the Middle East, Asia and Africa had gathered in Calais hoping to cross the short stretch of sea to Britain by leaping on trucks and trains, or even walking through the tunnel under the Channel.

Britain refused to accept the vast majority. High fences were built to keep them away from the port traffic, but still they came.

Local opposition to the sprawling slum, along with growing criticism from right-wing politicians, finally stung the French government into action.

CALAIS, FRANCE: Fire fighters try to extinguish fire at the Calais ‘Jungle’ camp during the third day of evacuation in Calais, France on October 26, 2016. The camp has been demolished by the French authorities under heavy police protection. Workers are presently destroying temporary shelters inside a perimeter guarded by police. [Anadolu Agency/NnoMan]

Fire fighters try to extinguish fire at the Calais ‘jungle’ camp during the third day of evacuation in Calais, France on October 26, 2016 [Anadolu Agency/NnoMan]

CALAIS, FRANCE: Smoke rises after Fire fighters extinguish fire at the Calais ‘jungle’ camp during the third day of evacuation in Calais, France on October 26, 2016. The camp has been demolished by the French authorities under heavy police protection. Workers are presently destroying temporary shelters inside a perimeter guarded by police. [Anadolu Agency/NnoMan]

CALAIS, FRANCE: Smoke rises after Fire fighters extinguish fire at the Calais ‘jungle’ camp during the third day of evacuation in Calais, France on October 26, 2016. The camp has been demolished by the French authorities under heavy police protection. Workers are presently destroying temporary shelters inside a perimeter guarded by police. [Anadolu Agency/NnoMan]

CALAIS, FRANCE: A refugee is seen at the site after Fire fighters extinguish fire at the Calais ‘jungle’ camp during the third day of evacuation in Calais, France on October 26, 2016. The camp has been demolished by the French authorities under heavy police protection. Workers are presently destroying temporary shelters inside a perimeter guarded by police. [Anadolu Agency/NnoMan]

CALAIS, FRANCE: Smoke rises after Fire fighters extinguish fire at the Calais ‘jungle’ camp during the third day of evacuation in Calais, France on October 26, 2016. The camp has been demolished by the French authorities under heavy police protection. Workers are presently destroying temporary shelters inside a perimeter guarded by police. [Anadolu Agency/NnoMan]

A refugee walks at burned area after Fire fighters extinguish fire at the Calais ‘jungle’ camp during the third day of evacuation in Calais, France on October 26th 2016 [Anadolu Agency/NnoMan]

CALAIS, FRANCE: A shed is seen after Fire fighters extinguish fire at the Calais ‘jungle’ camp during the third day of evacuation in Calais, France on October 26, 2016. The camp has been demolished by the French authorities under heavy police protection. Workers are presently destroying temporary shelters inside a perimeter guarded by police. [Anadolu Agency/NnoMan]

CALAIS, FRANCE: Police officers take security measures after Fire fighters extinguish fire at the Calais ‘jungle’ camp during the third day of evacuation in Calais, France on October 26, 2016. The camp has been demolished by the French authorities under heavy police protection. Workers are presently destroying temporary shelters inside a perimeter guarded by police. [Anadolu Agency/NnoMan]

CALAIS, FRANCE: Smoke rises after Fire fighters extinguish fire at the Calais ‘jungle’ camp during the third day of evacuation in Calais, France on October 26, 2016. The camp has been demolished by the French authorities under heavy police protection. Workers are presently destroying temporary shelters inside a perimeter guarded by police. [Anadolu Agency/NnoMan]

CALAIS, FRANCE: Police officers take security measures after Fire fighters extinguish fire at the Calais ‘jungle’ camp during the third day of evacuation in Calais, France on October 26, 2016. The camp has been demolished by the French authorities under heavy police protection. Workers are presently destroying temporary shelters inside a perimeter guarded by police. [Anadolu Agency/NnoMan]

CALAIS, FRANCE: A burned area is seen after Fire fighters extinguish fire at the Calais ‘jungle’ camp during the third day of evacuation in Calais, France on October 26, 2016. The camp has been demolished by the French authorities under heavy police protection. Workers are presently destroying temporary shelters inside a perimeter guarded by police. [Anadolu Agency/NnoMan]

CALAIS, FRANCE: Smoke rises after Fire fighters extinguish fire at the Calais ‘jungle’ camp during the third day of evacuation in Calais, France on October 26, 2016. The camp has been demolished by the French authorities under heavy police protection. Workers are presently destroying temporary shelters inside a perimeter guarded by police. [Anadolu Agency/NnoMan]

CALAIS, FRANCE: Police officers take security measures after Fire fighters extinguish fire at the Calais ‘jungle’ camp during the third day of evacuation in Calais, France on October 26, 2016. The camp has been demolished by the French authorities under heavy police protection. Workers are presently destroying temporary shelters inside a perimeter guarded by police. [Anadolu Agency/NnoMan]

CALAIS, FRANCE: Police officers take security measures after Fire fighters extinguish fire at the Calais ‘jungle’ camp during the third day of evacuation in Calais, France on October 26, 2016. The camp has been demolished by the French authorities under heavy police protection. Workers are presently destroying temporary shelters inside a perimeter guarded by police. [Anadolu Agency/NnoMan]