Migrant dies in Channel Tunnel attempting to enter UK

7 Jul, 2015 11:06 / Updated 9 years ago

An individual attempting to reach the UK from Calais has been found dead on a freight shuttle, Channel Tunnel operator Eurotunnel has said.

‘Chunnel’ services are facing severe delays and Eurotunnel has advised customers to re-arrange travel plans.

The organization tweeted the freight train had stopped following an incident on the French side of the tunnel at 05:00 BST.

It is not yet clear how the individual died.

The death comes after striking transport workers caused miles of lorry tailbacks at Calais. The traffic chaos spurred migrants hoping to cross the channel to attempt to board trucks waiting to use the tunnel.

READ MORE: 'We must act now’: France’s Le Pen seeks presidency for migrant-stricken Calais region

Late last week 150 migrants tried to storm the tunnel terminal in Calais resulting in yet more travel disruption.

Services are partly suspended, and the disruption is principally affecting freight services,” a Eurotunnel spokesman said.

Passenger services are running with slight delays.

“We are working very hard to restore full services as soon as possible,” he added.

Roads around the UK terminal in Kent are already congested, according to local reports.

Kent Police said there are no plans to begin Operation Stack which would see trucks parked on the M20 and all non-goods vehicles diverted to smaller roads.