French police evacuate migrants from makeshift camp

French police have evacuated migrants from a makeshift camp near Dunkirk, in northern France, where at least 1,500 people had gathered in hopes of making it across the English Channel to Britain

GRANDE-SYNTHE, France -- French police on Tuesday have evacuated migrants from a makeshift camp near Dunkirk, in northern France, where at least 1,500 people gathered in hopes of making it across the English Channel to Britain.

The Prefecture of the region said more than 400 people agreed to go to shelters. “The operation is continuing,” the statement said.

The operation is meant to send migrants into “adapted facilities" where they are to be informed of their rights, including the possibility to request asylum in France, it said.

In addition, 32 people suspected to be smugglers or to be involved in other criminal activities were being detained by police, the Prefecture du Nord said.