A teenage migrant who died after being run over by a lorry in Calais said he was fleeing “oppression and death” in his native Sudan, a friend told The National.
The boy, who has been identified only as Yasser, died attempting to reach the UK in search of an “honest living” on the final leg of the journey from northern France hidden inside a lorry, said the friend.
He travelled from Sudan to Libya before crossing by boat into Italy, said his friend Mohammed. He then made his way to Belgium and France.
The boy was run over as he tried to climb on board at a secure lorry parking area in the port city. He was left fatally injured in the middle of the road when the driver failed to notice anything amiss, authorities said.
Mohammed, 20, told The National that the teenager had encountered hostility in France from locals who cut holes in his tent during the cold weather and blocked their route as they tried to get food and water from humanitarian groups working with the migrants.
“He left Sudan escaping oppression and death but sadly and unexpectedly he faced the same in France,” he said.
“He faced things very difficult for anyone to endure. He was living in a tent in the cold – people used to make holes in these tents despite the vulnerable situation that it places the person inside.
“He endured violence from people in France but then met his fate during this catastrophe. Yasser escaped death to meet death.”
Sudan has been affected by decades of conflicts that have killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced many more.
The country’s last military dictator, Omar Al Bashir, was overthrown in 2019 but communal violence and economic hardship continues under a military-civilian transitional leadership.
Calais is a key departure point for migrants attempting to reach the UK. Many make the trip to join relatives in the UK, which is seen as a country of opportunity by migrants.
The UK government has bolstered security and proposed new laws that could criminalise migrants in an attempt to make the country less attractive.
The Home Secretary has blamed people-smuggling gangs who feed on the demand from “mainly male, economic migrants” in camps outside Calais.
But migrants have continued their efforts, with groups travelling from sub-Saharan Africa and crossing into Europe by lorry and boat before gathering in Calais. Criminal gangs have exploited the desperation of many to pack dinghies in the hope they reach UK waters before they are intercepted.
Yasser was the most recent of about 300 people who have died in and around the English Channel since 1999 while trying to cross the narrow but busy waterway, according to the Institute of Race Relations.
“He has wanted to look for an honest living since he was a child,” said Mohammed. “I first met him in Italy a few months ago.
“He was a sweet, kind-hearted, positive man who always had a smile on his face and never left an opportunity to help others.
“He used to make us feel safe and encourage us to never give up.”
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
Bio:
Favourite Quote: Prophet Mohammad's quotes There is reward for kindness to every living thing and A good man treats women with honour
Favourite Hobby: Serving poor people
Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite food: Fish and vegetables
Favourite place to visit: London
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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The Facility’s Versatility
Between the start of the 2020 IPL on September 20, and the end of the Pakistan Super League this coming Thursday, the Zayed Cricket Stadium has had an unprecedented amount of traffic.
Never before has a ground in this country – or perhaps anywhere in the world – had such a volume of major-match cricket.
And yet scoring has remained high, and Abu Dhabi has seen some classic encounters in every format of the game.
October 18, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad
The two playoff-chasing sides put on 163 apiece, before Kolkata went on to win the Super Over
January 8, ODI, UAE beat Ireland by six wickets
A century by CP Rizwan underpinned one of UAE’s greatest ever wins, as they chased 270 to win with an over to spare
February 6, T10, Northern Warriors beat Delhi Bulls by eight wickets
The final of the T10 was chiefly memorable for a ferocious over of fast bowling from Fidel Edwards to Nicholas Pooran
March 14, Test, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets
Eleven wickets for Rashid Khan, 1,305 runs scored in five days, and a last session finish
June 17, PSL, Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 15 runs
Usman Khawaja scored a hundred as Islamabad posted the highest score ever by a Pakistan team in T20 cricket
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The Land between Two Rivers: Writing in an Age of Refugees
Tom Sleigh, Graywolf Press
Mubalada World Tennis Championship 2018 schedule
Thursday December 27
Men's quarter-finals
Kevin Anderson v Hyeon Chung 4pm
Dominic Thiem v Karen Khachanov 6pm
Women's exhibition
Serena Williams v Venus Williams 8pm
Friday December 28
5th place play-off 3pm
Men's semi-finals
Rafael Nadal v Anderson/Chung 5pm
Novak Djokovic v Thiem/Khachanov 7pm
Saturday December 29
3rd place play-off 5pm
Men's final 7pm
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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MATCH INFO
Qalandars 109-3 (10ovs)
Salt 30, Malan 24, Trego 23, Jayasuriya 2-14
Bangla Tigers (9.4ovs)
Fletcher 52, Rossouw 31
Bangla Tigers win by six wickets
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Profile Periscope Media
Founder: Smeetha Ghosh, one co-founder (anonymous)
Launch year: 2020
Employees: four – plans to add another 10 by July 2021
Financing stage: $250,000 bootstrap funding, approaching VC firms this year
Investors: Co-founders
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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