African youth killed in Chunnel

The dead youth was discovered near the tunnel entrance by rescue workers early Thursday, the Calais prefecture said.

"A migrant was hit by a freight shuttle at around 2:00 a.m. (0000 GMT) on the tunnel site," an official announced, adding the victim was probably from Eritrea or Sudan.

Eurotunnel, the company operating the freight service, also confirmed the incident in the French terminal area.

"Eurotunnel regrets this accident that unfortunately confirms any attempt to cross the Channel illegally entails considerable risks," the firm said in a statement.

The death is expected to cause no traffic delays in the 50-kilometer (31-mile) tunnel linking France and Great Britain under the English Channel.

At least a dozen migrants have died in or near the tunnel since June. Last week, a Syrian refugee was electrocuted in the underground passage.

Some 3,000 migrants, mostly from Afghanistan, Syria, and various African countries, are living in slump-like camps near Calais. Many of them have repeatedly tried to cross to the British side, either by entering tunnel on foot or hiding on trains or trucks.

In July, Eurotunnel said some 2,000 attempts were made to enter the tunnel every night. However, the number of intrusions fell down considerably after the company and officials from both countries beefed up security near the entrances.

dj/sms (Reuters, AFP, AP)