Australian singer tweets of ‘heartbreaking’ situation after two people were found in luggage compartment

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

Two people have been discovered hiding in the tour bus of the Australian singer-songwriter Amy Shark. The migrants were attempting to enter the UK from Europe.

Tweeting about the “scary” experience, Shark explained that two people were found in the vehicle’s luggage compartment as they travelled from Brussels to London.

Both migrants left the bus after being discovered, and Shark told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Tuesday that “they didn’t threaten us or say a word – they just walked away when found”.

She also commented on Twitter: “I didn’t think this stuff happened. I’m so naive hey. Everyone’s OK though.”

When a Twitter user took issue with Shark’s use of the word “scary”, the musician replied: “The situation is scary. I feel for them, a very dangerous way to chase a new life. It’s heartbreaking but the bus is also my home when I’m on the road and I didn’t expect to find people hiding in it.”

Shark, whose real name Amy Louise Billings, is best known for the hit songs I Said Hi and Adore. Her 2018 album Love Monster won her three Aria awards – the Australian equivalent of the Grammy or Brit awards – taking home the prize for album of the year, best female artist and best pop record. The musician is playing Birmingham on Tuesday, and is scheduled to play shows in London and Manchester this week.

What is the current state of the migration crisis in Europe? Read more

There has been a spike in migrants attempting to cross the English Channel in recent months. In late December, 129 people – primarily from Iran and Syria – tried to enter the UK, and the home secretary, Sajid Javid, called rising numbers of migrants attempting the crossing a “major incident”.

Last week, the British government agreed to pay £6m to fund security equipment, including drones and video surveillance, in a joint initiative with France. The Home Office called it a “mutual commitment to conduct return operations as quickly as possible”.

Immigration officers told the BBC that preventing “lorry drops” makes up the “day-to-day grind” for those patrolling the borders. Earlier in January, 27 people were found hiding in a lorry on the M6.