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The comments from United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) spokesman William Spindler come after 10,000 people were rescued by the Italian coastguards in the past three days.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he also said he was not against France’s plans to close down the Calais Jungle but said there needed to be alternatives.

He said: “No we’re not against the decision of closing the Jungle, we understand the conditions there are not dignified, they do not meet the most basic standards, but an alternative needs to be offered to these people.

“Simply closing the camp and not offering an alternative is not going to solve the problem.”