Asylum seeker dies on Bibby Stockholm barge in UK

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - An asylum seeker in the UK reportedly died on Tuesday while being held on the Bibby Stockholm barge, designated by the government to accommodate migrants.

According to broadcaster ITV News, another of the vessel's residents discovered the tragedy in the morning, with the recounting that two ambulances and three police vehicles later arrived at the scene.

A lawyer representing another asylum seeker on the barge and the Care4Calais charity have independently confirmed the tragic death.

The grim incident occurs as members of Parliament gear up to debate a contentious anti-immigration policy that involves sending asylum seekers, potentially including those on the Bibby Stockholm barge, to the East African nation of Rwanda.

The policy faced a setback when the Supreme Court deemed it unlawful, citing concerns about safety in Rwanda as a destination. However, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently announced emergency legislation bypassing certain human rights laws, aiming to push the policy forward.

Since its arrival at Portland, the Bibby Stockholm has been plagued with a series of alarming health and safety issues.

Before anyone was relocated to the repurposed accommodation, the Fire Brigade Union expressed "serious fire and operational safety concerns," particularly regarding the potential for overcrowding.