British Inside Minister James Cleverly says the loss of life might be investigated.
An asylum seeker has died on board a UK barge used to house people whereas their asylum claims are adjudicated.
British Inside Minister James Cleverly informed parliament on Tuesday that an asylum seeker died on the Bibby Stockholm barge moored in Portland, Dorset.
“Tragically, there has been death on the Bibby Stockholm barge,” Cleverly mentioned. “At this stage, I’m uncomfortable getting into any more details, but we will, of course, investigate fully.”
The barge has been controversial because it was first put into use, together with outdated army barracks, to carry asylum seekers. Earlier this 12 months, the barge, which might home about 500 individuals, needed to be quickly evacuated after the invention of legionella micro organism in its water provide, which might trigger severe sickness.
Authorities officers have mentioned that the barge will not be a detention facility and that these held there are in a position to take brief journeys to a close-by city.
The Guardian newspaper just lately reported that, in apply, doing so is tough. The outlet quoted a person held on the barge who described poor circumstances, abusive behaviour from authorities, and “exactly the feeling of being in a prison”.
“We are treated in such a way that we despair and wish for death” the person is quoted as saying.
Authorities have launched few particulars in regards to the loss of life on the barge. A Dorset Police spokesperson mentioned that the company obtained “a report of a sudden death of a resident on the Bibby Stockholm”.
The Refugee Council known as for an unbiased evaluate.
“This is an appalling loss of life but tragically not surprising,” mentioned Enver Solomon, the group’s chief government. “Nobody who comes to our country seeking asylum should be left without the support they need yet the system has more hostility than compassion built into it.”
