French authorities are set to move thousands of migrants from the controversial site and hope to completely demolish it by the end of the week
The mass eviction of refugees from the Calais 'Jungle' migrant camp has begun.
French authorities are set to move thousands of migrants from the controversial site and hope to completely demolish it by the end of the week.
Migrants will be divided into four different groups: ordinary migrants, unaccompanied minors, families and vulnerable people.
Crowds surged towards the warehouse where processing was taking place as police opened the gates just after 7am UK time this morning.
People in the queues said they had no idea where they were going but many seemed resigned to leaving the sprawling camp, where demolition work is expected to begin tomorrow.
Police officials can be seen near one of the fires burning outside 'the Jungle'
Migrants begin to leave the Jungle migrant camp in the early morning before authorities demolish the site
People will be transported to temporary accommodation centres
The process began this morning
A top refugee campaigner voiced fears the Jungle will be demolished before stranded children with a right to reach Britain have come.
Lord Alf Dubs, 84, fled the Nazis to Britain as a child under the Kindertransport and won a major victory when he persuaded the Tories to accept more refugees.
He told the BBC's Westminster Hour: "I'm satisfied that the ones I wanted to help are beginning to come to Britain. But, of course, there are some more there - quite a few more.
"I'm worried that the demolition of the camp will start before they've all got here to safety. "My other concern is, of course, that there are many in Greece who are also - would like to come here."
Police vehicles and civilians can be seen at the 'Jungle'
Migrants begin to leave the Jungle migrant camp in the early morning before authorities demolish the site
Migrants queue for transportation by bus to reception centres across France, from the "Jungle" migrant camp in Calais, northern France
Migrants queue for transportation by bus to reception centres across France, from the "Jungle" migrant camp in Calais, northern France
Labour MP Yvette Cooper warned hundreds of youngsters could fall victim to gangs and criminal traffickers.
The Home Affairs Select Committee chairwoman said it was right to clear the camp but added: "I think the concern is there has been a real last minute process.
"There are still hundreds of children and teenagers still stuck in the camp and the French authorities have not put in place proper alternative places for the children to go to that are safe.”
Criminal gangs have “built up a base”, she said, adding: "It’s quite shocking that this could have gone on for so long with all of the dangers.
"I’m really worried that Britain left this far, far too late to do its bit."
Migrants will be processed after being split into four groups
Around 3,000 refugees are going to be cleared from the site
Migrants begin to leave the Jungle migrant camp before authorities demolish the site
Flames and tear gas filled the sky over the Calais migrant camp on Sunday night ahead of today's closure.
Violent clashes raged on through the night as police in full riot gear were pelted with rocks and petrol bombs.
The fray was believed to have been worsened by anarchists who had reportedly traveled to the settlement to ignite more chaos.
French police took the measure of banning campaign group Charity No Borders from the site after they issued a “call to arms” to its followers.
Smoke billows as migrants start a fire during clashes with police at the Jungle
A portable chemical toilet burns as French riot police advance towards the Jungle
Tear gas floats in the air near migrants
Today, thousands of police officers will be joined by riot control officers.
Their job is to "evacuate" the migrants who have made the camp their home - with at least 6,000 believed to be in the so-called Jungle.
There are fears the closure could see some of the camp’s inhabitants refusing to leave.
The demolition was called for in September of this year, with Bernard Cazeneuve, the French interior minister, saying: "I want the closure of the camp as quickly as possible."
Smoke and fire fills the air
Residents and police clash
Migrants gather in the "Jungle" migrant camp, as part of a major three-day operation planned to clear the camp in Calais
Since then, the demolition had been planned.
In March this year, about half of the camp was torn down as police tried to end violent attempts by those in the camp to board lorries heading towards Britain.
Previously, Mr Cazeneuve said he hoped to dismantle the camp in stages - but that plan has now gone out the window as authorities will try to take it down in one go.
Over the past 12 months the numbers of those attempting to cross the English Channel have increased, causing chaos and leading to the formation of the camp known as the Jungle.
French riot police officers take positions inside the camp
The camp pictured of the eve of it's evacuation
Migrants queue at a reception point outside the Jungle migrant camp before boarding buses to refugee centres around France
Recently there have been incidents where migrants have stormed the Channel tunnel to become stowaways and lorry drivers have taken strike action for their own safety.
The Jungle has seen several incarnations since 1999, when migrants first began occupying land.
However, its population has spiked dramatically following the crisis in Syria, alongside the rise of Islamic State which has seen a mass exodus from those hoping to escape violence and begin a new life.
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