Belgian police turn back migrants and refugees at French border

Published February 25th, 2016 - 12:30 GMT
Passengers on the way from France to Belgium stand outside during a police border control in Adinkerke on February 23, 2016 as Belgium announced it would reinstate border controls fearing an influx of migrants. (AFP/David Stockman)
Passengers on the way from France to Belgium stand outside during a police border control in Adinkerke on February 23, 2016 as Belgium announced it would reinstate border controls fearing an influx of migrants. (AFP/David Stockman)

Migrants and refugees arriving at the Belgian town of La Panne, on the border with France, on Wednesday were being turned back by police.

Belgium has this week reintroduced border controls – fearing a potential influx of UK-bound migrants, amid French plans to evict thousands of people from the camp known as ‘The Jungle’ near Calais.

Up to 290 Belgian police officers have been deployed at crossings with France. The Belgian government has said the controls will last as long as necessary.
 
The move is the latest blow to free travel in Europe’s Shengen Zone. An increasing number of EU member states have been tightening border controls as part of efforts to address the migration crisis.

Subscribe

Sign up to our newsletter for exclusive updates and enhanced content