MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The man, reportedly a Syrian citizen, passed through fences into the Calais Eurotunnel terminal and climbed onto one of the freight trains that regularly transit the tunnel toward Britain, the BBC reported, citing local officials.
The migrant, who died late Thursday, is the 13th person to have been killed attempting the dangerous crossing this year, according to Calais Migration Solidarity monitoring group data.
The Channel Tunnel is a 31.4-mile rail tunnel between Folkestone, Kent, in the United Kingdom and Coquelles, near Calais, in northern France. According to the French Interior Ministry, Calais currently houses some 3,000 migrants, mainly from North African countries.
The Eurotunnel security service said it has documented 37,000 attempts by migrants to reach Britain from France since the beginning of the year.
In August, the number of crossing attempts was reduced significantly, the train operator said, pointing out the UK erection of a 1.2-mile fence around the Channel Tunnel opening on the European side near Calais.
