Bibby Stockholm: Asylum seekers moved off barge ‘displayed signs of Legionnaires’ illness’, letter claims

Asylum seekers who had been housed on the Bibby Stockholm barge have claimed the Home Office didn’t contact them even when some on board confirmed indicators of suspected Legionnaires’ illness.

In an open letter to the Home Office, seen by Sky News, one asylum seeker hit out at their therapy from the division, describing their transfer on to the barge as a “harsh tragedy”.

The creator – who was talking on behalf of the 39 asylum seekers initially on board – mentioned a way of “isolation and loneliness” had gripped those that had been moved off the vessel following the invention of Legionella micro organism earlier this month.

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The author additionally claimed that one of many asylum seekers had tried suicide, however added: “We acted promptly and prevented this unfortunate event.”

“Currently, we are staying in an old and abandoned hotel,” the creator writes.

“The sense of isolation and loneliness has taken over us, and psychological and emotional pressures have increased significantly.

“We even lack the will to dwell and carry out any duties. The absence of tranquillity, consolation and fundamental wants has turn into our every day considerations.”

Legionella micro organism, which is often present in water, could cause a critical kind of lung an infection referred to as Legionnaires’ illness.

The Home Office beforehand mentioned that none of these on the barge had confirmed indicators of getting the illness and that they had been being supplied with “appropriate advice and support”.

But within the letter, the creator describes the “shock and fear” these on board felt following the Legionella discovery on 11 August.

It later emerged that individuals spent 4 days on board the barge after the micro organism was found and earlier than they had been eliminated by the Home Office as a “precautionary measure” – prompting a blame recreation about what the federal government knew and when.

Dorset Council has mentioned Home Office contractors had been notified concerning the outcomes on Monday 7 August – 4 days earlier than individuals had been moved off the barge.

The council went on to say a Home Office employees member was knowledgeable concerning the micro organism on Tuesday 8 August.

However, a authorities supply beforehand informed Sky News there is no such thing as a document of this dialog, and claimed the Home Office solely obtained a written notification concerning the Legionella on the night of Wednesday 9 August.

Speaking to Sky News, Health Secretary Steve Barclay mentioned ministers had been knowledgeable about traces of the micro organism solely on Thursday 10 August.

Asylum seekers ‘displayed signs of Legionella illness’

In the asylum seekers’ letter, the creator writes: “Some of us displayed symptoms of Legionella disease, but no one responded to us, the Home Office did not contact us, and everyone was in shock and fear.

“In the afternoon of that day, because the final people to find out about this downside, we had been knowledgeable that we might quickly be moved to a brand new location, in order that the ship’s situations could possibly be reevaluated. We had been compelled to adjust to this request.”

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The authorities docked the controversial vessel in Portland, Dorset, final month, saying it will be capable to home as much as 500 male asylum seekers who had crossed the Channel in small boats.

They claimed the brand new lodging would assist lower your expenses for the taxpayer, with lodge rooms for migrants costing as much as £6m a day.

But the scheme has confronted fierce opposition from human rights campaigners, whereas opposition events have dubbed it a gimmick.

The first handful of individuals had been moved on to the barge earlier this month, however inside days a Legionella outbreak was detected within the water provide, forcing them off the vessel.

In the asylum seekers’ letter, the creator says they’ve been “running from persecution, imprisonment and harsh tortures, with hearts full of fears and hope from the countries we were born in, to find safety and freedom in your country and our new refuge”.

They mentioned that regardless of being suggested by sure organisations to not transfer on to the barge, they determined to comply with the directive from the Home Office, “even though we felt that the ship was largely a place for troublemakers and lawbreakers”.

“We are individuals who are tired of the challenges that have arisen and no longer have the strength to face them,” they added.

Government accused of ‘disastrous document’ on asylum claims

The letter comes a day after the Home Office launched its newest migration statistics, exhibiting the backlog of asylum claims within the UK had hit a brand new document excessive.

The stress on the system has despatched the taxpayer invoice for asylum to just about £4bn a yr – a determine Rishi Sunak has mentioned is “unacceptable”.

Meanwhile, Home Office figures confirmed that Channel crossings have topped 19,000 for the yr to this point, regardless of Mr Sunak’s promise to voters that he would “stop the boats” bringing migrants throughout the English Channel.

Labour mentioned the record-high asylum backlog amounted to a “disastrous record” for Mr Sunak and Home Secretary Suella Braverman, whereas campaigners known as for claims to be processed extra effectively.

But the prime minister defended the federal government’s progress, saying: “I think the current situation with illegal migration is simply ridiculous. It’s unfair and it’s unsustainable.

“That’s why certainly one of my 5 priorities is to cease the boats. And I really need individuals to know I’m working night time and day to convey that about.

“And when I became prime minister, before I outlined my plan, the number of illegal migrants coming to the UK had quadrupled in just the last couple of years. But for the first time this year, crossings are down.

“They are down about 15% versus final yr. That’s the primary time that has occurred because the small boats disaster emerged. That exhibits that the plan is working.”

In response to the asylum seekers’ letter, a Home Office spokesperson said: “We are following all protocol and recommendation from Dorset Council’s Environmental Health staff, UK Health Security Agency and Dorset NHS, who we proceed to work intently with.

“Further tests are being conducted and we intend to re-embark asylum seekers only when there is confirmation that the water system meets relevant safety standards. The safety of those onboard remains the priority.”

Sky News has requested the Home Office particularly concerning the declare it didn’t contact asylum seekers when some on board confirmed indicators of suspected Legionnaires’ illness, however we have now but to obtain a response.