Migrant killed in Channel Tunnel

A migrant has died on a freight shuttle trying to reach Britain, Channel Tunnel operator Eurotunnel said as it renewed calls to end the crisis in Calais.

The incident on the French side of the Channel happened at around 5.30am, a spokesman said.

Freight traffic was disrupted but there were also delays to passenger services following the incident near Calais.

A Eurotunnel spokesman said: “At 5.30am, the presence of migrants was reported on a freight shuttle just entering the tunnel.

“Safety procedures apply automatically if there is any human presence in the tunnel, therefore the train was brought to a controlled stop and the overhead power was cut.

“The French police conducted a search, in the process of which they found a migrant who they declared deceased a short while later.

“Eurotunnel deplores the fact that this tragic incident has happened.

“Eurotunnel once again calls on the governments to end the migrant crisis.”

Details about the age, sex, and nationality of the migrant have not yet been revealed.

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