Calais migrant camp battle between Sudanese and Eritreans

Two men at the ‘new jungle’ migrants’ camp in Calais (Getty Images)

Hundreds of Sudanese and Eritrean migrants clashed overnight at a migrant camp in Calais, in the north of France. Reports say 21 people were wounded, of whom 14 were taken to hospital in Calais.

Residents of what has been dubbed the “new jungle” encampment fought with stones sticks and iron bars. Tents are reported to have been set alight.

Between 200 and 300 people were involved in the fighting, which lasted for around two hours, said the Pas de Calais prefecture.

A spokesman told Channel 4 News that around 100 police officers and firemen were called to the scene, including CRS riot police. He said the motive behind the fighting was not known.

Those involved in the fighting suffered injuries to the head, throat and legs, according to a report on the French regional news website La Voix Du Nord.

Motorway incident

Fire services were still on site at the camp on Monday morning as they tried to put out any remaining fires.

This is the latest incident at the camp, which according to Le Monde newspaper holds between 1,800 and 2,000 migrants.

Clashes broke out last Thursday night after an Eritrean migrant was hurt by a bullet on the A16 motorway between Calais and Boulogne. The Pas de Calais prefecture spokesman told Channel 4 News there was no connection between this incident and last night’s confrontations.

Some estimates say that up to 2,500 migrants – mainly Afghan, Sudanese, Eritrean and Syrian – live in camps around Calais, from where most hope to move on to the United Kingdom.

Watch below: tear gas fired by police during clashes between migrants in Calais in August last year