Asylum seekers were moved off the immigration barge Bibby Stockholm docked at Portland Harbor in Dorset after reports of Legionella bacteria, which causes Legionnaires' disease, was found in the water used onboard Friday (August 11).
According to the Daily Mail, the incident was reported after 15 men stepped into the barge Monday (August 7). All of them would be evacuated to an alternative accommodation.
"The place is very empty but no one has said anything to us," a Syrian migrant onboard said. "We will have to wait and see, but it is worrying."
What is Legionnaires' Disease?
The Mayo Clinic defined Legionnaires' disease as a severe form of pneumonia, or a lung inflammation usually caused by infection. The sickness was caused by a bacterium known as legionella.
Most people catch Legionnaires' disease by inhaling the bacteria from water or soil. Older adults, smokers, and people with weakened immune systems are particularly susceptible to Legionnaires' disease.
The discovery of the bacteria would be a huge blow to the British government's plan to house up to 500 migrants on the barge, the Mail reported, as opponents of the measure claimed the barge was unsafe and called it a floating prison.
While 15 asylum seekers took up residence, a further 20 failed to show up after lawyers intervened and successfully argued to allow them to stay in hotels.
Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick is understood to be holding meetings to discuss the barge health crisis.
A Home Office source also confirmed the outbreak but refused to comment further. A statement with more information is expected this afternoon, British time.
This is a developing story. Please follow HNGN for more updates.
