Channel Tunnel closed amid strike by French ferry personnel

PARIS, July 31 (KUNA) -- The busy channel tunnel between France and England was closed Friday after around 300 ferry employees blocked access to the "Chunnel".
The strike is to protest restructuring and the selling off of several "Seafrance" ferries which would lead to job losses at the Calais-based transporter.
Local sources said the militant action had had full effect and Eurotunnel confirmed services to London from Paris and Brussels had been halted.
The operation by unions is compounding another problem in Calais, where tens of thousands of refugees are gathered to try to sneak into Britain by boarding the numerous trucks that use the Channel Tunnel.
Police halted 1,000 migrants trying to leave France for Britain on Friday, "France Info" radio reported. (End) jk.ajs