Another eight transmigrants (including three children) found in containers: urgent consultation and a firm approach needed

“Despite our previous calls, there remains a deafening silence at both local and federal levels about the approach to transmigration.” MP Theo Francken and Flemish MP Maaike De Vreese are again sounding the alarm after another eight transmigrants were found in a container on Monday. “Must there be more deaths first?”

On Monday, another eight transmigrants - including three minors - were found in a container in Zeebrugge. The transmigrants had to be rescued by the police and emergency services. Two of the migrants were nearly unconscious, but there were no casualties. Once again, they had forced their way into the marshalling yard.

Double the number of transmigrants

The public prosecutor’s office in Bruges recently reported that last week twice as many transmigrants were arrested in and around the port of Zeebrugge as during an average week. “We keep fighting a losing battle. This news should set off all alarm bells. But the local and federal levels just won’t do anything about it,” Maaike De Vreese says. “In Zeebrugge last year, a total of no fewer than 1,141 transmigrants were registered. The persistent problematic situation has been causing unrest and a feeling of insecurity among residents as well as financial damage to companies in our port for quite some time. In recent weeks, transmigrants have also been found in refrigerated trucks.”

The marshalling yard is a weak spot

“Those are life-threatening situations. That is why we reiterate that this issue must be tackled decisively. We found out last week that the marshalling yard is the weak spot in security. Tackle this structurally immediately. This place needs extra checking,” Maaike De Vreese argues.

Urgent consultation needed between local and federal levels

Theo Francken believes there is an immediate need for urgent consultation between the local and federal levels to tackle this issue. “Transmigrants who get picked up in our port are now just dropped off a bit further along. It is five past midnight. We are asking for a structural approach, an on-the-spot policy with daily VIP patrols, coordinated checks and the expansion of capacity in our closed centres.”