Man dies as 1,500 migrants storm France-U.K. tunnel

Jane Onyanga-Omara | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption France sends 120 extra police to secure Eurotunnel French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said Wednesday that 120 additional police officers would be sent to Calais to secure the Eurotunnel site, after attempts by migrants to storm the area. Video provided by AFP

LONDON — A man died as more than 1,000 migrants tried to storm the tunnel that links Britain with France for the second successive night.

At least 1,500 people are said to have tried to enter the Eurotunnel terminal in the French port town of Calais on Tuesday night. On Monday, more than 2,000 migrants, desperate to reach England, tried to enter the terminal, causing delays for travelers.

Local media reported that the dead man was of Sudanese origin, and was hit by a truck. He was believed to be between 25 and 30 years of age. The man is the ninth person to die near the terminal since June.

Eurotunnel, which operates the route, said it "deplores" the death. The company says it intercepted more than 37,000 migrants since Jan. 1, and handed them over to law enforcement officials.

The British government, which has announced up to $11 million to improve fencing near the tunnel, held an emergency meeting about the crisis Wednesday. There have been several attempts by migrants to enter the tunnel in recent weeks.

"The continuous pressure exerted every night is above and beyond that which a concessionaire can reasonably handle and requires a constructive and appropriate response from the (British and French) governments," Eurotunnel said in a statement.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said the crisis was "very concerning."

Speaking during a visit to Singapore on Wednesday, Cameron said: "I have every sympathy with holidaymakers who are finding access to Calais difficult because of the disturbances there and we will do everything we can to work with the French to bring these things to a conclusion.

"There's no point trying to point fingers of blame, it's about working with the French, putting in place these additional security measures, adding in the investment where that's needed — Britain will always come forward with that."