Bibby Stockholm: Asylum seeker on board barge dies
The Bibby Stockholm barge pictured from a corner.
It is sitting in the dock, the name of the boat is visible on its side in large letters. The barge appears to have three floors with windows, similar to what you would see in a flat block. An asylum seeker on board the Bibby Stockholm barge, which houses migrants off Dorset, has died.
Several sources have told the BBC that the man who died is thought to have taken his own life. Dorset Police were called to the vessel, docked off Portland, just after 06:20 GMT on Tuesday and its officers are carrying out enquiries. Downing Street said support continues to be made available to those on the barge.
The three-storey barge, docked off Portland, houses people awaiting the outcome of their asylum applications and has capacity for up to 500 men. The death happened in one of the more than 200 cabins on board, a source familiar with the incident said. Home Secretary James Cleverly told MPs the death would be fully investigated, adding: “I’m sure that the thoughts of the whole House, like mine, are with those affected.”
The age and nationality of the man who has died are yet to be confirmed. The coroner’s office has been notified. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said migrants on the barge have a medical assessment and have been assessed for signs of emotional trauma.
He said: “There has been and continues to be support available to those on the Bibby, as it is indeed available (to those) in other forms of accommodation.” Richard Drax, Conservative MP for South Dorset, said it was a “tragedy born of an impossible situation”. He added: “While I never agreed to, nor accepted the imposition of the barge on South Dorset, I believe it was at least a decent, safe haven for some of those cruelly trafficked across the Channel.
“One can only imagine the desperate circumstances which led to this sad outcome; we must do all that we can to end this evil trade in human misery.” The vessel was first used for accommodating asylum seekers in August but was evacuated after Legionella bacteria was found in the water supply, with people returning to it in October. Story continues
The barge is the first to be used as part of government plans to reduce the cost of asylum accommodation. There was considerable opposition to the plan, both from local people and national organisations, with campaigners calling it “cruel and inhumane”. Many of them reacted to Tuesday’s news by calling for an end to the use of the barge for accommodation.
The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, which investigates deaths in immigration detention centres, has said it would not investigate the case because Bibby Stockholm is not a detention facility. Deborah Coles, director of the charity Inquest, said “given reports that conditions on the barge are prison-like” it was “reasonable” to expect the ombudsman to investigate the death. “This was a tragic death forewarned,” she said. “It is vital that it is investigated by an independent body and not by the government whose own policy it was to place asylum seekers there.”
The Refugee Council’s chief executive Enver Solomon called for an independent review to be carried out following the “appalling loss of life” in order “to avoid any further tragedies of this kind”. He said: “A new approach that always sees the face behind the case and treats every individual person with the dignity and humanity they deserve is urgently needed.” Mr Solomon added the asylum system has “more hostility than compassion built into it”.
Flowers have been left at the entrance to Bibby Stockholm
Amnesty International UK’s refugee and migrants director, Steve Valdez-Symond, argued that the people fleeing “persecution and conflict in countries like Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Sudan and Eritrea” were being “completely lost” in the current debate. Steve Smith, CEO of refugee charity Care4Calais, said: “Our thoughts are with the person who has lost their life, their family and their friends.” He said those on board the Bibby Stockholm “will be experiencing a deep feeling of grief and worry today,” adding: “The UK government must take responsibility for this human tragedy.”
Bishop of Sherborne Karen Gorham said news of the death had “shaken the community”, as local church and faith groups had got to know some of the men on board. “Strangers are becoming friends and so we feel this loss of life acutely,” she said, adding that local faith leaders had been asked to provide support following the death. “We look forward to being able to make more regular welfare visits as the wellbeing of all those on board is vital.”
News of the death comes as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak separately prepares for a key vote on his flagship Rwanda bill later. The scheme would see those who arrive in the UK illegally sent to the east African country, where they could claim asylum.
Watch on iPlayer banner Asylum Barge[1]
BBC News investigates the community reaction to the arrival of the Bibby Stockholm barge in the town of Portland, Dorset.
Watch now on BBC iPlayer (UK only)[2]
References
- ^ Asylum Barge (www.bbc.co.uk)
- ^ Watch now on BBC iPlayer (UK only) (www.bbc.co.uk)