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Migrant Found Dead In Channel Tunnel

Migrant Found Dead In Channel Tunnel

A migrant has died trying to reach Britain through the Channel Tunnel on a freight train.

Operator Eurotunnel said the incident happened near Calais at around 5am BST (6am local time).

A section of the tunnel was closed for investigation and both freight and passenger services have been disrupted.

"Following the discovery of migrants on a freight shuttle, early this morning, the shuttle was immediately stopped," said a French official.

"During an investigation by border police, a deceased migrant was found in the tunnel," he added.

Authorities have yet to say how the migrant died.

It is the second migrant fatality in as many weeks following the death of an Eritrean while trying to get on a train at Coquelles last month.

A Eurotunnel spokesman said freight services were affected more than passenger trains, which were "running with slight delays".

He added: "We are working very hard to restore full services as soon as possible."

The incident comes days after around 150 migrants caused delays and cancellations when they tried to storm the Channel Tunnel terminal in France.

There have been increased calls for a resolution to the migrant crisis in Calais, which has escalated in recent months.

Around 3,000 people displaced from countries including Eritrea, Syria and Afghanistan have set up camp near the port.

Last week more than 3,000 truckers had to queue for several days in high temperatures on the M20 following a wildcat strike by ferry workers in France.

Hauliers have also faced problems with migrants desperately trying to clamber on board their HGVs to the UK.

French authorities have faced claims they are not doing enough to safeguard lorry drivers from intimidation and violence.

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has suggested deployment of the French military to boost security in Calais amid growing fears that a death could occur.

Port of Dover officials said last week's ferry strike cost the UK economy £1bn.

They have joined calls for "robust contingency plans" to be introduced to ensure the port - a £100bn trade route - can operate unimpeded.

Home Secretary Theresa May and her French counterpart Bernard Cazeneuve last week agreed to increase the joint intervention fund to improve security in and around the Channel Tunnel.