Refugees’ places of worship torn down

French authorities have destroyed a church and mosque in the migrants’ camp in Calais known as the “Jungle”, which is home to nearly 6,000 people, writes Megan Cornwell.

The makeshift places of worship were dismantled as part of a plan to create a 100-metre-wide security zone around the camp’s perimeter. Charities say they had earlier been told both structures could remain.

The evangelical church, known as Life in Christ, was used by Ethiopian and Eritrean Christians living in the camp. It was led by the Revd Teferi Shuremo (pictured) who rescued a wooden cross from the ruins. He was reportedly given an hour to move four of the occupied shelters in the church compound, where he and 10 other residents were living.

Vincent de Coninck, who leads Secours Catholique’s refugee programme in Calais, said: “We are really shocked and disappointed by this. The French authorities went back on their promise. It’s a kind of message to send the refugees: ‘we don’t want you here’. The spiritual life of the refugees, their faith, is very important to them and there was no need to destroy those places.”

The authorities have faced increased criticism for failing to provide adequate facilities in the camp, including schools, hospitals and places of worship. It has been left to people to build their own.