By Shweta Desai
PARIS (AA) - An unidentified male, likely a migrant, died early Sunday morning after being hit by a freight train in Calais, northern France, local media reported.
The incident occurred at 6 a.m. (0400GMT) when he was hit by a train at Chemin Castre southeast of Calais, the iconic last stop for travelers to the UK, through legal means or otherwise. The BFMTV report added that the authorities said he died on the spot and are investigating the accident.
Calais, at the crossroads of illegal crossings by migrants trying to reach Britain, has seen numerous unfortunate deaths of migrants on roads, railways, and the sea.
In a similar incident this March, a 25-year-old Sudanese man walking along the railway tracks was killed when he was hit by a train. Last November, a group of four migrants were also hit by the train, killing one and seriously injuring another.
NGOs working with refugees have blamed officials for failing to provide accommodation and aid, and subjecting homeless asylum seekers in irregular conditions to harassment, forcing them to take dangerous methods to escape France.
Last week NGOs and academics published an open letter demanding that President Emmanuel Macron’s revamped government take immediate and lasting measures for the dignified reception of all exiles in France.