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11th August 2023
01:41pm BST
Just days after being moved onto Bibby Stockholm barge in Dorset, asylum seekers are now being removed after Legionella bacteria was reportedly discovered in the water.
The Mirror reported on Friday that those onboard are to be transferred to new accommodation as a precautionary measure.
Asylum seekers were only moved onto the vessel on Monday.
The Home Office said the 39 migrants onboard the barge had been disembarked while assessments are carried out.
Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick is reported to be chairing meetings about the situation on the barge, which is docked in Portland Port in Dorset, according to Sky News.
Legionella bacteria, which is commonly found in water, is a lung infection you can get from inhaling droplets of water from things like air conditioning or hot tubs. It's uncommon but it can cause a serious lung infection called Legionnaires' disease.
None of those on the barge have shown signs of having the disease, The Mirror noted.
Just two days ago Jenrick described the barge as "perfectly decent accommodation", telling Sky News: "You've got to remember that this is a form of accommodation that's being used in Belgium in the Netherlands; has been used by British oil and gas workers.
"If it's good enough for them, it should be good enough for the migrants as well. We will always house people in decent, legally compliant accommodation. I genuinely believe that the UK has the most comprehensive plan of any European country to tackle this issue."
The BBC reported that routine testing was done before migrants moved on to the vessel, but the results didn't come back until after the migrants moved in.
Another test has also been done since, and it is expected that migrants will be moved back on if and when the water supply is all clear of the bacteria.
The vessel - moored at Portland Port on the south coast - is part of the government's plan to "stop the boats" and deter Channel crossings by migrants.
The government wants to house up to 500 men aged 18-65 on Bibby Stockholm while they await the outcome of asylum applications.
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