France Activates Cold Weather Plan as High Winds Tear Down Migrant Barrier in Calais

On Saturday, high winds of up to 100mph brought down part of a new steel fence that was erected last month in the northern French port of Calais to prevent migrants from boarding UK-bound ferries.

The ten-foot high barrier, which is topped with barbed wire, was funded through a 12 million pound sterling ($18 million) grant from the British government to France, to help French authorities secure the port following months of incidents at the border.

In September, far-right supporters staged anti-immigration demonstrations in Calais, and in October, riot police were forced to intervene after violent clashes broke out between opposing refugee groups.

There have also been several dramatic — often deadly — attempts in recent months by migrants trying to storm UK-bound trucks.

Calais migrants: Security fence erected to stop stowaways boarding ferries to UK blown down — Daily Mirror (@DailyMirror)27 Décembre 2014

A spokesperson for the British Home Office told VICE News that "border security at Calais has not been affected by this incident," and that, "repairs have been commissioned to a small section of fencing outside the secure port perimeter."

Footage of the toppled fence shot by France 3

Meanwhile, authorities in Calais have opened up a heated emergency shelter for migrants, as part of France's Great Cold plan (plan Grand Froid), a government initiative, which is triggered by extreme winter conditions.

In Calais, officials turned a former flower warehouse into a temporary hostel, equipped with 400 mattresses and sleeping bags. On Friday night, 44 people sought refuge there — a number that grew to 239 by Sunday.

A — marie-laure michel (@mlauremichelafp)27 Décembre 2014

"We will do everything in our power to house a maximum of people with the resources that we have, but we're improvising," David Lacour, the director of Solid'R, the non-profit running the emergency shelter, told VICE News. "Everyone has been caught short by the high number [of migrants]. We've not seen anything like it before, not even in Sangatte!"

Opened in 1999 and administered by the Red Cross, the Sangatte holding center was a notorious refugee camp for would-be asylum seekers on their way from France to England. Housed in a giant warehouse in Calais, Sangatte was closed in 2002, amid strong criticism of the harsh living conditions endured by refugees inside the camp.

Remembering Sangatte, France's Notorious Refugee Camp. Read more here.

According to local authorities, the last few months have seen a drastic increase in the number of migrants gathering in makeshift camps in and around Calais. Speaking to VICE News, officials said the number of asylum seekers has grown from 880 in July to around 2,500 in December. This marks a sharp increase compared to previous winters, when anywhere between 300 to 500 migrants were reportedly living in camps near the port.

The dramatic rise in the number of migrants passing through Calais on their way to the UK has led to growing tensions over the fall. The French right-wing group "Save Calais" staged several anti-immigration demonstrations in the city in September, and there were reports of locals attacking migrants.

In October, French riot police were forced to intervene to break up violent clashes between rival migrant groups, and used tear gas to deter hundreds of migrants from storming UK-bound trucks.

Riot Police Break Up Clash Between Migrants in France. Read more here.

Speaking to French daily Le Monde in October, a member of the No Border migrant support group blamed the escalating tension on "police pressure, hunger, and dismal living conditions."

A recent investigation by the Guardian found that at least 15 migrants had died in 2014 as a result of border-crossing accidents. One was run over by the truck he was trying to board; another died jumping from a highway bridge onto a truck. The media outlet also highlighted a high increase in the number of children and women stuck in Calais. According to reports by migrants, traffickers have been forcing women into prostitution in exchange for passage aboard UK-bound trucks.

In early November, French interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve announced plans to open a new drop-in center to cope with the sudden influx of refugees. But speaking from Calais on Christmas day, Cazeneuve indicated the opening of the center would be postponed by several months.

Speaking to VICE News, local officials explained that the deferral is due to delays with the renovation of the space. Built inside a former children's day camp facility, the new center calls for a major remodeling of the existing space — including upgrading all bathrooms so that they can be suitable for adults. Additional features, such as a medical drop-in center, are also pushing back the completion date.

According to Monday's weather forecast, temperatures in Calais will drop down to 32 or 28 tonight, triggering the Grand Froid emergency housing plan for a second night.

Follow Mélodie Bouchaud on Twitter: @meloboucho