Hundreds more migrants leave Calais camp as demolition of 'Jungle' continues

Dozens of buses carrying 1,636 people, including 372 minors, to nine regions in France left the "Jungle" camp on Tuesday, the French Interior ministry said.

At least 772 unaccompanied minors have been identified during the two days, while 217 minors with family in Britain have come to the UK since October 17, it added.

Since Monday, more than 4,000 migrants and refugees have passed through the registration centre.

Demolition of the "Jungle" camp in Calais began Tuesday afternoon with heavy duty machinery being used to tear down the ramshackle buildings that formally housed migrants.

Police equipped with water canons stood guard as hundreds of migrants - some of who have lived in the camp for years - waited for buses to take them for resettlement across France.

"The migrants have known for a long time this was going to happen," the Calais region's prefect, Fabienne Buccio, told Reuters after arriving at the camp escorted by between 150 and 200 riot police.

Demolition of the camp began Tuesday morning. Credit: PA Wire

Officials said the operation was going peacefully.

A large fire blazed at one point, but was brought under control, and there was no repeat of the minor skirmishes with security forces seen over the weekend.

For many of the migrants from Syria, Afghanistan and other conflict zones, the closure of the Jungle marked the end of a dream to reach Britain.

Heavy duty machinery being used to tear down the ramshackle buildings that formally housed migrants. Credit: PA Wire

"We know the Jungle is over," said Aarash, a 21-year-old Afghan as he made his way to the hangar where immigration officials were processing the migrants.

"We will see if we can get on a bus today, but we want a good city, like one near Paris. If we can't go there we will come back to the Jungle."

Social workers and translators sent by the government handed out leaflets around the camp to convince residents they must prepare to leave the camp. Officials showed some a map of France with a "You Are Here" arrow in English pointing to Calais.

Social workers and translators sent by the government handed out leaflets around the camp. Credit: PA Wire

"Overall the migrants have understood that time is up for the Jungle. They've been receptive," said social worker Serge Szarzynski.

Nonetheless, some migrants said that they would resist efforts to resettle them in France.

"France is a good country but just not right for me and my situation. I am going to stay and I will build another jungle!" said a 32-year-old Afghan who gave his name only as Khan.