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

Asylum seekers who have 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 remedy from the division, describing their transfer on to the barge as a “harsh tragedy”.

The writer – who was talking on behalf of the 39 asylum seekers initially on board – mentioned a way of “isolation and loneliness” had gripped those that have been moved off the vessel following the discovery of Legionella bacteria 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 writer 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 out to be our each day considerations.”

Legionella micro organism, which is often present in water, could cause a critical sort of lung an infection often called Legionnaires’ illness.

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

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

It later emerged that people spent four days on board the barge after the bacteria was discovered and earlier than they have been eliminated by the Home Office as a “precautionary measure” – prompting a blame sport about what the federal government knew and when.

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

The council went on to assert a Home Office workers member was knowledgeable in regards to the micro organism on Tuesday 8 August.

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

Speaking to Sky News, Health Secretary Steve Barclay mentioned ministers have 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 writer 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 study this drawback, we have been knowledgeable that we’d quickly be moved to a brand new location, in order that the ship’s situations may very well be reevaluated. We have been compelled to adjust to this request.”

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The authorities docked the controversial vessel in Portland, Dorset, final month, saying it might 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 have 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 writer 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 observe 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 report’ on asylum claims

The letter comes a day after the Home Office launched its newest migration statistics, displaying the backlog of asylum claims in the UK had hit a new record high.

The strain on the system has despatched the taxpayer invoice for asylum to almost £4bn a 12 months – a determine Rishi Sunak has mentioned is “unacceptable”.

Meanwhile, Home Office figures confirmed that Channel crossings have topped 19,000 for the 12 months 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 one in every of my 5 priorities is to cease the boats. And I actually need individuals to know I’m working evening and day to carry 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 12 months. That’s the primary time that has occurred for the reason that small boats disaster emerged. That reveals 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 crew, 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 in regards to the declare it didn’t contact asylum seekers when some on board confirmed indicators of suspected Legionnaires’ illness, however we’ve got but to obtain a response.