Calais superstore sells out of many items after migrants buy so safety gear for risky Channel crossings
MIGRANTS are buying so much gear for risky crossings that a Calais superstore has sold out of many items.
There is a huge spike in demand at Decathlon for life-jackets, kayaks and sports rackets to use as oars.
Three Iranians who say they faced a death sentence for religous beliefs queued for lifejackets but there were none left.
Mohammed Mahmood, 27, said: “Everyone comes here for what they need for the journey. We should be called in a few days now. I’ve paid £3,000 already. There’s a Mafia that controls the crossings. They’re scary.”
An Iranian outside said: “Britain is the only safe place. We could be deported back if we stay in France.”
Another migrant from Iran waiting outside the store said: “We are desperate. Britain is the only safe place. We could be deported back if we stay in France and could be killed.
“We’re leaving danger. Other people we’ve stayed with have bought jackets, rackets and kayaks here.
“The Mafia control everything. We have to be ready for our trip so buy things here. If we’re not, someone else will take our place and we lose.”
More than 4,000 migrants have crossed the Channel since the start of the year and around 6,000 have made the trip since January 2019.
The smugglers are charging around £3,000 per head for the dangerous crossing – meaning they’ve raked in millions.
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