Asylum seekers who were previously taken off a migrant barge off the south coast of England will soon be notified that they will be sent back. The Home Office confirmed in a statement that the Bibby Stockholm has completed all necessary tests and will be ready to hold the group of approximately 500 men while they await the outcome of their asylum applications.
The group of men had been temporarily housed on the Bibby Stockholm before being removed when the presence of Legionella bacteria was detected in the on-board water system. The Home Office has stated that they will be moved back onto the three-storey vessel after it underwent extensive testing to ensure the safety of those on board.
The barge is berthed in Portland Port, Dorset and had originally intended to provide accommodation to asylum seekers as part of the UK government’s response to the increase in illegal migrants crossing the English Channel. The decision to house individuals on the vessel has proved controversial, with many criticising the cramped and unsanitary living conditions.
Charities and humanitarian organisations have repeatedly called on the government to find more suitable accommodation for asylum seekers, arguing that many are housed in unsanitary or unsafe conditions that make their already traumatic experiences worse. The Home Office has stated that it is committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of those in its care, but has yet to announce any specific plans for improving accommodation for asylum seekers
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