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French Authorities Destroy Calais Migrant Camp


Migrants stand on a hill overlooking the "Jungle" migrant camp in Calais on October 26.
Migrants stand on a hill overlooking the "Jungle" migrant camp in Calais on October 26.

French authorities have destroyed the Calais migrant camp known as the "Jungle," three days after it began an operation to demolish the facility.

Local officials declared the destruction of the camp, where thousands of migrants from the Middle East and Africa had lived in dire conditions as they waited for a chance to sneak cross the English Channel into Britain.

"There are no more migrants in the camp," said Fabienne Buccio, a local official in the camp. "Our mission has been fulfilled."

Fires set by departing migrants on October 26 accelerated plans to evacuate the camp.

French authorities are taking the migrants to processing facilities in other parts of the country where they will be given the chance to apply for asylum.

About 6,000-8,000 people were at the camp before the clearing operation began on October 24.

The camp has become a key symbol of Europe's migration crisis.

Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters

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