French gov't pledges more security forces in Calais

French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb on Friday pledged to send more security forces to northern port city of Calais after violent migrant fightings left many wounded.

"The reinforcements will be deployed to ensure public safety and preserve the republican order in Calais," Collomb said.

"The situation is extremely serious. We never have seen this level of violence (in the French city)," he added.

Five migrants were shot during a brawl between Afghan and Eritrean migrants while they were queueing for food handouts on Thursday. Four remain in critical situation.

Two other fightings in the city, involving hundreds of migrants, brought the total number of injured to 22.

"If (police) had not intervened yesterday, the casualties would have been even heavier," the minister said, accusing smugglers to be behind increasing violence in migrants camp.

Violent clashes between migrants are common in Calais where thousands from Africa and the Middle East lived in "the Jungle" camp in poor conditions before it was dismantled by authorities in 2016.

According to official data, 600 migrants are still camping in the French port city, hoping to cross into Britain via the Channel Tunnel. Charity associations put the figure at 800.

In a visit to Calais last month, French President Emmanuel Macron said he would not tolerate "illicit" camps, like "the Jungle."

"In no case will we allow another Jungle here," he said.

Instead, he proposed to slash the time to treat asylum requests to six months from 18 months. In addition, he offered additional 20,000 shelters for refugees and to take in further 4,000 asylum seekers in 2018.