
A Paris shanty town containing some 2,500 migrants was pulled to the ground on Friday and its inhabitants 'evacuated' to other parts of France.

Many were from war-torn countries such as Afghanistan and Eritrea who said they were desperate to get to Britain as quickly as possible.

The mass operation, which involved riot police, unfolded soon after dawn as the mainly young men were forced out of the illegal settlement in the Porte de la Chapelle.

A Paris shanty town containing some 2,500 migrants was pulled to the ground on Friday and its inhabitants 'evacuated' to other parts of France

Many were from war-torn countries such as Afghanistan and Eritrea who said they were desperate to get to Britain as quickly as possible

The mass operation, which involved riot police, unfolded soon after dawn as the mainly young men were forced out of the illegal settlement in the Porte de la Chapelle

It is situated in the north of the city, next to the railway lines where high-speed Eurostar trains travel to London

The evacuated migrant camp is located in the north of the city near to the railway tracks for the Eurostar service

It is situated in the north of the city, next to the railway lines where high-speed Eurostar trains travel to London.

'We were woken up first thing and then told to line up before being moved out,' said Adam Jamshid, a 33-year-old originally from the Afghan city of Kandahar.

'There wasn't even time to pick up our belongings, and many people were split up. The police were very tough - like they always are.'

Like many of the migrants, Mr Jamshid said he was taken to a local gym, where he would be able to spend a few nights.

'We were woken up first thing and then told to line up before being moved out,' said Adam Jamshid, a 33-year-old originally from the Afghan city of Kandahar

He added: 'There wasn't even time to pick up our belongings, and many people were split up. The police were very tough - like they always are'

Like many of the migrants, Mr Jamshid said he was taken to a local gym, where he would be able to spend a few nights

'There is no permanent place for us in France any more,' he said. 'This is one of the main reasons why we want to go to Britain, where we are treated like human beings'

There is an official refugee camp in Porte de la Chapelle, but those living there can only stay for a fortnight

Since its opening last year, it has become a magnet for thousands, who end up setting up alternative homes in the streets nearby

French police evicted thousands of migrants living on sidewalks near the reception center for migrants

A group of police officers led away a man from the site which was filled with tents and bedding supplies

Another man could be seen pushing away his bicycle as he was watched by three police officers

One group of migrants were seen taking shelter under a makeshift tent and were wrapped in blankets

The last group of migrants wait to be registered and evacuated after the evacuation of several makeshift camps around Porte de la Chapelle in Paris

Paris property services start to clean the streets after the evacuation of several makeshift camps around Porte de la Chapelle

An Afghani migrant searchs for items among the remains of a migrant makeshift camp under the Parisian ring road

'There is no permanent place for us in France any more,' he said. 'This is one of the main reasons why we want to go to Britain, where we are treated like human beings.'

There is an official refugee camp in Porte de la Chapelle, but those living there can only stay for a fortnight.

Since its opening last year, it has become a magnet for thousands, who end up setting up alternative homes in the streets nearby.

Some 60 coaches were involved in today's operation, and according to Francois Ravier, of the local prefecture, 'at least 2500 migrants were involved.'

'Experience shows that there are always more people than estimated, said Mr Ravier.

EU chief: Millions of migrants in five years The number of migrants crossing into Europe from Africa will be in the millions within five years unless urgent action is taken, a senior EU official has warned. Antonio Tajani, president of the European Parliament, has said the scale and severity of the migrant crisis is being underestimated. In an interview with Il Messagero newspaper, Mr Tajani said there would be an exodus of biblical proportions if nothing was done to tackle the problem. ‘Population growth, climate change, desertification, wars, famine in Somalia and Sudan. These are the factors that are forcing people to leave. ‘If we don’t confront this soon, we will find ourselves with millions of people on our doorstep within five years.’ Advertisement

Some 60 coaches were involved in today's operation, and according to Francois Ravier, of the local prefecture, 'at least 2500 migrants were involved'

'Experience shows that there are always more people than estimated, said Mr Ravier

Numbers in Paris have swelled since the destruction of the so-called 'Jungle' camp in Calais last year, when around 8000 migrants were dispersed

France's new President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to continue the zero tolerance policy to illegal camps enforced by his predecessors

Today's operation marked the 34th of its kind to take place in Paris over the last two years

Paris council said it was justified because of security and hygiene concerns

Europe's migrant influx began in 2015, centering on Greece, where hundreds of thousands of people, many of them fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and Afghanistan, crossed from Turkey

Numbers in Paris have swelled since the destruction of the so-called 'Jungle' camp in Calais last year, when around 8000 migrants were dispersed.

France's new President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to continue the zero tolerance policy to illegal camps enforced by his predecessors.

Today's operation marked the 34th of its kind to take place in Paris over the last two years.

Paris council said it was justified because of security and hygiene concerns.

French police evict thousands of migrants living on sidewalks near the reception center for migrants and refugees at porte de la Chapelle, north of Paris

French police officers directed the migrants away from the camp as it was closed down on Friday morning

Women and children were also seen during the evacuation of the camp in the north of Paris

Migrants and refugees gather in the streets during the evacuation of a makeshift camp at Porte de la Chapelle

French authorities proceeded to the evacuation of more than 2,000 migrants settled in a makeshift camp

The evacuation came a few days before the presentation of a 'migrant plan' by the government led by Emmanuel Macron

One man made a face toward the camera as he was confronted by a police officers holding riot gear

A man looks away as he gathers with migrants and refugees in the streets during the evacuation

Europe's migrant influx began in 2015, centering on Greece, where hundreds of thousands of people, many of them fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and Afghanistan, crossed from Turkey.

The crisis receded in 2016 under an agreement with Turkey to clamp down on illegal border crossings.

However, it revived this year, focussing instead on sea crossings from Libya to Italy, mainly entailing people from sub-Saharan Africa.

On Thursday, EU interior ministers pledged to back a plan to help Italy, which has accepted around 85,000 people since the start of the year and says it is overwhelmed.

The crisis receded in 2016 under an agreement with Turkey to clamp down on illegal border crossings

However, it revived this year, focussing instead on sea crossings from Libya to Italy, mainly entailing people from sub-Saharan Africa

On Thursday, EU interior ministers pledged to back a plan to help Italy, which has accepted around 85,000 people since the start of the year and says it is overwhelmed

Police evicted thousands of refugees from makeshift Porte de la Chapelle camp in Paris

Tents were seen erected next to the side of the road to house the thousands of migrants