Chaotic events took place on Sunday evening as the Home Office conducted a large-scale evacuation of one of the biggest hotels utilized for housing asylum seekers due to a power and water supply outage.
The hotel located near Heathrow airport provides shelter for over 500 individuals seeking asylum, including single adults, families, and young children. The Guardian received a video showing adults and children wandering the dimly lit reception area, questioning the situation.
“It’s a mess in here,” a female asylum seeker stated. “I had to hastily pack my belongings without any light. My phone’s battery is almost dead.”
“I do not possess enough funds for a cab, however, a friend has kindly offered for me to stay at her place tonight. Therefore, I will take a bus to her residence. The reception area is not very visible, but I can hear some infants crying.”
A representative from the Home Office stated that there is a problem with the electricity and water services at this housing location. In these situations, our main focus is to ensure the well-being of those under our care. We are collaborating with providers to implement additional support and safety measures. The Migrant Help 24/7 support line is also accessible for prompt resolution of any issues.
Sources from the Home Office stated that individuals seeking asylum who were evacuated from the hotel have the option to make their own plans to stay with friends and family, if they choose to do so.
It is known that certain individuals were able to secure temporary housing, while others were relocated to alternate hotels during the late-night evacuation. However, some stated that they were not informed of the situation and were unsure of where they would be staying for the night.
One person stated that the hotel manager is too preoccupied to speak with us and the current state of affairs is chaotic.
The water and power companies were summoned to the location. The duration of the hotel’s inoperability is currently unknown.
“I am appalled to learn that asylum seekers were left stranded outside a hotel due to a power and water outage, and that the Home Office did not inform us,” stated Shantanu Rajawat, leader of Hounslow council.
The Home Office is responsible for ensuring the safety of asylum seekers in housing and promptly addressing any issues that arise. This is important to prevent further trauma for this already vulnerable group of people.
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Once we were informed of the situation, we immediately notified all relevant parties and sent officers to the hotel to evaluate the situation and offer necessary assistance.
This is yet another instance of the Home Office and the flawed asylum system’s shortcomings. It is crucial that there is improved communication and a willingness to collaborate with local authorities in order to promptly resolve these issues and prevent further harm.
In November 2022, a significant power outage occurred at Heathrow Immigration Removal Centre, the largest in Europe. As a result, the facility was evacuated and detainees were transferred to alternate detention centers. During this incident, the detainees were also without access to electricity and water.
Source: theguardian.com
