London, 12 August 2023 (MoraVizen.com) – The Bibby Stockholm, a controversial offshore barge used as temporary asylum accommodation in the UK, has been evacuated following the discovery of deadly Legionella bacteria in the water supply. This development has further ignited the debate surrounding the British government’s much debated migration policy.
The Legionella bacteria, known to cause pneumonia-like illnesses, was identified within the water system onboard the controversial Bibby Stockholm barge, prompting swift action from the UK Home Office. All 39 asylum seekers who were residing on the vessel are being relocated as a precautionary measure.
The Home Office emphasized that the health and welfare of the individuals on the vessel remain their top priority. While no confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been reported, officials are taking thorough precautions to ensure the safety of those affected.
The Bibby Stockholm was part of a government initiative aimed at providing cost-effective housing for asylum seekers. However, concerns have been raised since its inception. The vessel’s suitability as a living space and the adequacy of safety measures were questioned, particularly by critics who dubbed it a “potential death trap.”
The evacuation comes after weeks of delays in moving the first migrants onto the barge. Despite reservations voiced by various groups, including the Fire Brigades Union, the government moved forward with its plans, asserting that the Bibby Stockholm provided “safe and decent accommodation.”
As concerns mount over the treatment of asylum seekers, Justice Secretary Alex Chalk defended the government’s policy, asserting that the Bibby Stockholm was a suitable solution while the migrants await the outcomes of their asylum applications.
The government has sought alternatives to housing asylum seekers in hotels, which it claims incurs a substantial annual cost. According to the BBC, Immigration minister Robert Jenrick is understood to have been chairing meetings about the situation.
The incident has relighted discussions about the treatment of migrants and the ethics of housing them in temporary, controversial accommodations in the United Kingdom. The evacuation of the Bibby Stockholm serves as a stark reminder of the complex challenges facing both the government and advocacy groups striving to ensure the well-being of vulnerable populations.
At present, there are more than 136,000 asylum applications waiting for an initial decision, including 62,000 that were made before 28 June 2022 – the so-called “legacy backlog”. In December 2022, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged to clear the legacy backlog by the end of 2023.
According to new data published in June, the Home Office needs to process an asylum claim every four minutes between now and the end of the year if the prime minister’s pledge to clear the backlog is to be honoured.
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