An unidentified attacker shot and injured one of the illegal immigrants housed at the controversial Sangatte refugee camp in northern France, local officials and hospital sources reported today.
The 18-year-old Afghan was taken to hospital late yesterday after being hit in the thigh by a single bullet, hospital sources said. He was operated on and is not in any danger, they said.
The local government office confirmed the shooting but could give no details of the incident.
Between 150 and 200 migrants staying at the camp today demonstrated on the road outside to protest the shooting, brandishing a banner declaring "It's the police that has authorised the killing of refugees."
On Monday night a refugee was killed when he was run down by a car on the road between the camp and the entrance to the Channel Tunnel where hundreds of migrants attempt every night to sneak aboard cross-Channel trains.
Mr Jacky Henin, the Communist mayor of Calais, said he had written to Prime Minister Mr Lionel Jospin to warn that local authorities could no longer cope with "the constantly rising tension" around the camp.
Eurotunnel, which operates the Channel tunnel, has brought a legal challenge before the French courts demanding that the Sangatte camp be shut down, alleging that its location encourages illegal immigrants to attempt to breach tunnel security.
At least four immigrants have been killed - electrocuted or hit by trains -while trying to make the journey.
AFP