Migrants on board the Bibby Stockholm say they have been “re-traumatised” after being suddenly evacuated when Legionella bacteria was discovered in the water supply.
It comes as Conservative ministers face calls to resign after Legionella bacteria, which can cause a serious type of lung infection known as Legionnaires’ disease, was found in the water on the barge.
Stand Up to Racism, which has been in contact with asylum seekers who were moved from the barge, heard reports that they were notified about the bacteria at 4.45pm yesterday and then given a letter at 5pm.
But the campaign group claimed there was no one to ask questions of when they were given the news and that they have not been tested for Legionnaires disease.
Heather, from Stand Up to Racism Dorset, said some of them claimed they had found out from “media reports”.
She said: “One of them rang me and said ‘I just drank the water. Should I be concerned? Should I give you my family’s details in case something happens to me and you need to contact them’. I had to reassure them it was just caution, but it’s really concerning that they found out from the press.”
Stand Up To Racism have said they have spoken to migrants moved from the Bibby Stockholm and three have reported feeling unwell with a cough and headache. The men say they have been given blood tests.
The UKHSA said the usual incubation period for the disease is two to ten days.
Heather also said the people on board who she has spoken to feel “completely unsettled” and “feel like they’re not being valued as humans”. Stand Up to Racism said coaches arrived at 7pm and they were taken to a hotel “several hours away” from the barge.
The group claimed the rooms they were given did not have fresh linen until this morning, adding that the men are “very tired and re-traumatised by this experience. They don’t feel safe”.
Migrants say they were being given contaminated water for hours after news broke
Migrants evacuated from the Bibby Stockholm said they continued to drink contaminated water hours after the news broke.
Media reports first broke shortly before 2pm that legionella bacteria had been found in the water system on the barge, but those on board claim they were not informed by the Home Office until 5pm – and were not taken off until later that evening.
And in the hours before they were removed, contaminated water was still being given out to drink. Legionnaire’s disease usually cannot be contracted by drinking contaminated water.
Speaking to Sky News, one of those on board said they were not given an official letter in a language they could read, but only sent a text message about an unconfirmed “health issue”” and told not to use the showers.
“They did not take the issue seriously,” one of the men said.
“The number of passengers and crew on board was very small. They could have informed all the passengers on the ship individually and in person, but they limited themselves to a text message.”
Even now they have been evacuated, they have not been given “any information” about the disease – other than what they had seen online in media reports – leaving them feeling “trapped and anxious”.
“I am grateful to be here and safe from the dangers that would have destroyed my life,” the other man said, but added that he felt “helpless” about what would happen next.
Home Office ‘incompetence’
Conservative backbenchers have accused the Home Office of “incompetence” after the 39 people who had boarded the vessel were transferred to alternative accommodation on Friday evening.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Asylum seekers exit Bibby Stockholm
Shadow immigration minister Stephen Kinnock wrote to the opposition on Saturday asking what the department knew about the risk of the bacteria being present before moving migrants onto the barge.
The department said all those on board had been disembarked as a “precautionary measure” after samples from the water system showed levels of Legionella requiring further investigation.
The Home Office said no migrants have fallen sick or developed Legionnaires’ disease and were all being provided with “appropriate advice and support”.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Barge reminds migrant of Islamic State
Home Secretary Suella Braverman is now under growing pressure to scrap plans to house asylum seekers on barges altogether, following a significant setback to a policy that has been beset with controversy and delay from the very start.
Campaigners from No To The Barge have also said immigration minister Robert Jenrick should stand down from his government position with “immediate effect” after promising just days ago that the barge was safe.
Read more:
Fiasco shows how far Sunak has to go to deliver on boats promise
Over 100,000 people now likely to have crossed Channel
The Home Office insisted disembarking those on board was a “precautionary measure” while further tests are carried out – but questions remain about who knew what and when.
Disease showed up in routine tests
Sky News understands routine testing of the water supply was initially carried out on Tuesday 25 July, but the results did not come back until Monday 7 August – the same day asylum seekers began to board the Bibby Stockholm, which is docked in Portland Port.
However, the Home Office was not made aware of the results until two days later on Wednesday 9 August. Six people boarded the vessel a day later but were later removed on the advice of the UK Health Security Agency, with a decision taken on Friday to remove everyone.
