Main content

Bibby Stockholm: Portland reacts after Legionella found on barge

It's been a week since the first group of asylum seekers arrived on the Bibby Stockholm barge at Portland Port.

Now, all migrants have been removed after traces of Legionella bacteria were found in the on-board water system; the bacteria can cause a type of pneumonia.

The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Office said all 39 migrants on board the vessel in Dorset were disembarked as a precaution.

Dorset Council said it informed Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Office contractors about preliminary Legionella test results last Monday, however Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Office ministers say the presence of bacteria was confirmed to them on Thursday, and they then took action.

Heather Joans, from Portland, received a text from one of the asylum seekers which stated that several of the men have gotten sick since news of the Legionella incident broke, but do not have access to a doctor. Meanwhile, health secretary Steve Barclay says no one has been harmed by Legionella on the barge.

Release date:

Duration:

13 minutes