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Eurotunnel services suspended after migrant invasion at Calais

00:00, 03 October 2015

updated: 06:09, 03 October 2015

Eurotunnel services have been severely disrupted after they were suspended earlier following a "massive invasion" of more than 100 migrants.

A "large and co-ordinated" group broke through fences and stormed the Channel Tunnel in Calais at around 12.30am, Eurotunnel said.

Passengers from Folkestone were warned to expect delays while there was also significant disruption to freight services.

There have also been delays on Eurostar trains from St Pancras International to Ebbsfleet and Ashford.

Migrants are taking risks to board Eurotunnel trains to Kent. Picture: @daftnelly.
Migrants are taking risks to board Eurotunnel trains to Kent. Picture: @daftnelly.

To try and ease traffic congestion on the M20, coast bound vehicles were being taken off the carriageway at J11 where they also rejoined again.

A Eurotunnel spokesman said: "It's a massive invasion and intrusion by a very large and co-ordinated group of migrants.

"They are being gathered up by the police authorities."

"It's clearly an organised attack when it comes in such a large number, there are over 100 in this one group.

"They arrived together an in a well-organised manner, broke through the fences and all clearly knew where they were going.

"There's nobody on trains, there are a small number of passengers affected and customers have gone to the ferry port to continue their journeys," the Eurotunnel spokesman added.

A total of 13 migrants have died trying to reach Britain since June. An Eritrean man died on Wednesday after being hit by a train near the tunnel entrance in Calais.

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