Britain began transferring migrants to the huge barge “Baby Stockholm” on its southern coast at the beginning of the week as part of its strategy to prevent asylum seekers from reaching the country.
Posted on: August 11, 2023: 07:31 PM GST Last updated: August 11, 2023: 07:50 PM GST
The British government said on Friday that Britain removed migrants from a barge less than a week after they were placed there after Legionella bacteria were found in the water supply on board.
Britain began transporting migrants to the huge barge “Baby Stockholm” on its southern coast at the beginning of the week as part of its strategy to prevent asylum seekers from reaching the country.
Opinions were divided on this policy, with ministers saying they wanted to provide basic accommodation, not luxury accommodation, to help reduce costs, while human rights advocates said the offer was inhumane.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “Environmental samples from the water system on the Bibi Stockholm barge showed levels of Legionella bacteria that require further testing.”
“As a precautionary measure, all 39 asylum seekers who arrived on the barge this week are being disembarked, while further checks are being carried out,” he added.
The bacteria detected in the barge’s water supply could cause Legionnaires’ fever, a lung infection that Britain’s National Health Service describes as not common, but “extremely serious”.
The government said none of the people on board had symptoms of fever and it was working closely with the health security agency and following its advice in line with public health measures.
2023-08-11 15:31:00
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