The disputed ship was evacuated.

The British government’s plan to dock the controversial Bibby Stockholm, a key part of its strategy to discourage asylum seekers from crossing the English Channel, has been thwarted.

Traces of a dangerous bacterium were found in the ship’s tap water, which could not be put to use due to objections in terms of compliance with legislation and fire law.

After detecting Legionella bacteria in the water, 39 asylum seekers who were delayed on board the ship moored in Dorset harbor earlier this week have been temporarily evacuated.

In fact, it is understood that the water samples were taken before the asylum seekers settled, but the test results have only just come in.

Since the start of the week, asylum seekers have been using the water on the boat, but so far none of them have shown any signs of illness, officials told the BBC.

A new sample of the water has been taken and sent for analysis, and this time, if no bacteria are found, the migrants are expected to get back on the ship.

NO ONE HAS SYMPTOMS OF THE DISEASE

The placement of asylum seekers on the giant, immobile ship called the Bibby Stockholm is an important part of the UK government’s plan to discourage migrants from crossing the English Channel in small boats.

The government plans to place around 500 male asylum seekers between the ages of 18 and 65, awaiting the outcome of their asylum application.

But this project has been delayed for weeks for various reasons. First, the concerns raised in the fire safety inspection needed to be addressed. And then, due to legal objections, far fewer asylum seekers were transported than were supposed to be placed on the ship earlier this week.

The Interior Ministry spokesman, who made a statement after the asylum seekers were evacuated from the ship due to the threat of disease, said none of the migrants showed any signs of illness and the disease is not contagious from person to person. .

The Legionella bacteria found in Bibby Stockholm’s water are normally found in rivers and lakes, but can multiply rapidly when it seeps into building water systems.

The disease is transmitted to people when people inhale the vapor from this bacterial water, for example, while showering or in other situations when the water is hot and affects the lungs.

Once in the lungs, Legionella causes pneumonia, displaying symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, and fever.

People who get sick may need antibiotic treatment and, in severe cases, even connection to respiratory support.

MAY NEED 500 BOATS

Currently, people who arrive in the UK and apply for asylum stay in hotels.

Defending the government’s plan, he says the incorporation formula will cut hotel costs, which he says are up to £6m a day.

It is emphasized that refugees who will remain on the ship until their applications are finalized will be able to enter and exit the ship where they are not detained.

Overwhelmed by legal objections, the government told the refugees last week that their housing allowance could be reduced if they refused to board. This threat is said to have increased the number of people who agreed to settle on the ship.

Immigrant rights organizations and groups have fiercely opposed the boat project from the start, saying that keeping asylum seekers in prison-like conditions goes against human rights.

But the government says the ship is safe and cheap.

The three-decker, 222-room ship Bibby Stockholm, the first of its kind in the UK and planned to house 500 refugees, docked in Portsmouth harbor three weeks ago.

It is estimated that around 500 boats are needed to accommodate all asylum seekers in the country in this way.

For this reason, it is interpreted that this step by the Government is intended to “intimidate” those who try to cross the English Channel rather than a practical solution.