Skip to main content

VIDEO: An Iraqi boy's dreams end en route to London

Despite the heavy police presence, people keep trying to get through to the UK via the Eurotunnel. For some, however, there is a more grisly fate
Sunset in Calais (MEE/ Screen grab)

Despite the heavy police presence, people keep trying to get through to the Untied Kindom via the Eurotunnel. Overnight on Friday, 113 migrants managed to get into the Eurotunnel and walk for 15 kilometres before they were caught and returned. 

For others, however, there is a more grisly fate. Last week a 20-year-old Iraqi man named Omar was crushed to death in a truck while attempting to cross the channel.

His cousin was with him at the time and later returned to the Jungle, where he told MEE his story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuqZZK5_A4Q

"There were six of us. It (the truck) was full of stock," he said, visibly upset. "The stock filled it from the middle to the end. And so it was empty from where the driver sits to the middle. The stock was extremely heavy. Omar sat in the middle, between the stock and the driver."

"We were waiting for the driver to go through border control towards England, but he didn't. He went towards Belgium."

"He was driving very fast, I kept yelling for him to stop!"

"I opened the roof window and I was banging on the roof. The driver was afraid and didn't stop."

"When I was banging on the roof the driver pressed the break sharply."

"Can you imagine where all the stock moved? On top of Omar."

His cousin, who appeared gaunt and traumatised by the experience, said he attempted to pull Omar out from under the stock.

"I tried so hard, I tried!" he said. "I just couldn't, I wasn't strong enough!"

"They took him to the hospital, directly to the morgue."

Omar's death marks just the latest tragedy in the saga of the European refugee crisis.

As governments in Western and Eastern Europe continue to juggle economic, social and political footballs in an attempt to finally arrive at a settlement for the thousands of refugees and migrants attempting to find a better life in the world's richest countries, few believe that the fields and dirt tracks under the Jungle will be open any time soon.

For many migrants and refugees, the Jungle is destined to remain home for some time to come.

Stay informed with MEE's newsletters

Sign up to get the latest alerts, insights and analysis, starting with Turkey Unpacked

 
Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.