A van carrying transmigrants crashed when police wanted to check it in the West Flemish seaside resort of Middelkerke last weekend. Eight people were injured in the incident. Elsewhere in Middelkerke, police apprehended a further nine transmigrants. Local mayor Jean-Marie Dedecker showed his frustration at the situation: “It’s like trying to bail out a sinking ship.”
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Van carrying transmigrants crashes in Middelkerke: 8 injured, 1 in a critical condition
Colin Clapson
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More and more transmigrants are seeking out our shores in the hope of getting to the UK and making a brighter future for themselves after sailing from the Flemish coast in a small boat.
The accident happened around 2 am on Sunday morning on the coast road in Middelkerke. A van was intercepted by a police officer on a motorbike. “The van drove on, in the opposite direction to the traffic,” explains Mayor Jean-Marie Dedecker. “The police motorbike rider then rode ahead to warn the traffic, but was overtaken by the van, which then at high speed lost control on a bend.”
Eight people were injured in the accident, including two seriously, adds West Flanders Governor Carl Decaluwé. ‘One of those two is in a critical condition. The injured have been taken to hospitals in Ostend and Veurne.’
An investigation into the accident is underway to establish exactly what happened.
More arrests
It was another busy night for local police along the Flemish coast. Police are on high alert at the moment, as good weather leads to an increase in attempts to cross to the United Kingdom.
Nine migrants were arrested in the sand dunes around Middelkerke. “In Blankenberge, equipment was also found that was intended to be used in an attempt to cross the North sea,” Gov Decaluwé said on Sunday. Several dozen migrants were also arrested the previous day. “We will have to monitor and follow up constantly over the coming weeks and months.”
Dedecker describes these police operations as a priority on the coast. “We want to prevent a second ‘Jungle’ from emerging here, like the one just across the border in Calais. So we are working together in a highly coordinated manner.”
The ‘Jungle’ is the name used for the tent camp at Calais (France) where hundreds of transmigrants eager to make the crossing to the UK have gathered.
"It’s like trying to bail out a sinking ship. Look at those nine people who were arrested. That takes us 20 hours of police work, and then we’re obliged to release them with a packed lunch. We detained one here with 19 notices in his pocket, telling him he must leave the country. Only when the law changes, so that we can hold them until they are sent back home, will that influx stop" the mayor said.