Accident – death – Obituary News :

Asylum Seeker from Albania Dies on Bibby Stockholm Barge

An asylum seeker who tragically lost his life aboard the Bibby Stockholm barge has been identified as a 27-year-old man from Albania. The Dorset Police confirmed last week that a man had passed away on the accommodation vessel located at Portland Port. In response to this unfortunate incident, Home Secretary James Cleverly has pledged a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the man’s sudden death.

Leonard Farruku, originally from Albania, has now been identified as the deceased individual. The Daily Telegraph, the first to report his name, revealed that he had paid 4,000 euros to make the perilous journey across the English Channel in a small boat, aiming to reach the shores of the United Kingdom.

According to Leonard’s sister, Jola Dushku, 33, who resides in Lombardy, Italy, he had expressed that the conditions on the boat were not terrible, but the treatment they received from the guards was dehumanizing. Jola shared, “When I last spoke to him, he mentioned that they were treated like animals by the guards. Our relatives, who are in contact with the police, informed us that Leonard had encountered some problems around 11 pm that night and was calmed down by a security guard. However, at 3 am, he was found dead. We have no further details about the circumstances of his death.”

Concerns Over the Bibby Stockholm Barge

The Home Office permanent secretary, Sir Matthew Rycroft, recently disclosed in a letter to Members of Parliament that the contract for the Bibby Stockholm barge amounted to £22,450,772. This significant sum covered the provision of “vessel accommodation services” by the operating company, CTM.

Sir Matthew Rycroft further stated that an assessment of whether the vessel represented value for money was currently being updated. The barge, which is the first of its kind to be used as part of the government’s efforts to reduce the cost of asylum accommodation, has the capacity to house approximately 500 single men in around 200 bedrooms.

However, the barge’s implementation has encountered significant opposition, leading to legal challenges and protests. Critics argue that the conditions on board are cruel and inhumane, with concerns raised about the welfare and treatment of asylum seekers.

Charities Call for Independent Review

News of the asylum seeker’s death has sparked outrage among charitable organizations, who are now demanding an independent review into the utilization of such facilities for asylum accommodation. They have also raised serious concerns about the conditions experienced by individuals on board.

Steve Smith, the chief executive of Care4Calais, has called on the government to acknowledge their responsibility in this tragic incident, stating, “They have deliberately disregarded the trauma inflicted upon those sent to the Bibby Stockholm, as well as the hundreds of individuals accommodated in former military barracks.”

The death of Leonard Farruku serves as a tragic reminder of the challenges faced by asylum seekers and the urgent need for improved conditions and support within the asylum system. It is hoped that a thorough investigation into his untimely passing will shed light on the circumstances and lead to necessary changes to prevent future tragedies.

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