Dozens of migrants who were hoping to reach Britain have scrambled aboard a cross-Channel cruiseferry in northern France, sparking a 12-hour manhunt as police combed the vessel to find them, officials said on Sunday.
About 100 migrants broke into the dock area of Port Calais late Saturday, March 2, and dozens managed to get on board the ferry ship that had arrived from Dover UK. 63 immigrants were detained. Many of them had tried to hide aboard DFDS Calais Seaways, regional authorities revealed.
On Sunday morning, March 3, firemen talked down the last group of around a dozen migrants who had climbed above the deck to a catwalk attached to the funnel of the ship.
The migrants managed to get on board the ferry via a maintenance ladder at high tide. Two of them fell into the sea and were rescued by firemen. The detained were taken to Calais police headquarters.
Cross-Channel ferry traffic had to be delayed overnight with at least a couple forced to remain at sea prior to being allowed into port. Calais Seaways ferry was moved overnight so the harbor could resume operations.
For other Calais Seaways accidents and incidents see at the ship's CruiseMinus page.