An asylum seeker who was among almost 500 migrants rescued from their flooded hotel has told how it brought back frightening memories of crossing the English Channel by boat.
The terrified group – including men, women and children – were ferried to safety by dinghies, with one emergency worker falling into the icy water during the massive night-time evacuation effort.
Dramatic footage shows dirty brown water swamping the lobby of the Britannia Country House Hotel in Northenden, Greater Manchester, where the asylum seekers were staying at taxpayers’ expense.
Shocked residents – many of whom had only recently reached the UK after illegally crossing the Channel on small boats – watched as the swollen River Mersey swallowed up parked cars on New Year’s Day.
Today one of the 483 rescued asylum seekers paid tribute to emergency workers as ‘heroes’ and said their actions ‘undoubtedly saved many lives’.
But Mostafa Rajabi, 43, a Christian from Iran who was smuggled into the UK along with his 15-year-old daughter in November, said the incident revived traumatic memories of their crossing.
‘It exactly brought back the experience of crossing the English Channel for everyone,’ he told Mail Online.
‘The distress was clearly visible on everyone’s faces.
An asylum seeker who was among almost 500 migrants rescued from their flooded hotel has told how it brought back frightening memories of crossing the English Channel by boat
The Britannia Country House Hotel in Northenden, Greater Manchester, where the asylum seekers were staying at taxpayers’ expense
But Mostafa Rajabi (pictured), 43, a Christian from Iran who was smuggled into the UK along with his 15-year-old daughter in November, said the incident revived traumatic memories of their crossing
‘When it came to boarding the boat, we imagined we would once again get soaked in the intense cold, and that thought was very distressing.
‘Fortunately we were able to leave the hotel in inflatable boats provided by the rescue team, with only a small number of people boarding each one, and we did so without getting wet.’
Mr Rajabi said they were awoken at 9am but initially told to stay put in the hope the water would subside.
As the day progressed they began taking refuge on higher floors of the hotel as the floodwaters rose.
‘Many people were in shock and no-one knew what to do,’ he added.
‘There was a great deal of stress and anxiety.’
By 5pm the lobby was knee-deep in murky water, the restaurant was flooded and the electricity had been cut off, so plans were made to evacuate everyone.
Speaking after being taken to alternative accommodation, Mr Rajabi said: ‘We just want to express our gratitude to the heroes of that unforgettable night.’
Police in Greater Manchester declared a major incident on New Year’s Day after hundreds of people awoke to find themselves after almost a month’s rain fell in 48 hours.
Asylum seekers who were staying in the hotel pictured leaving the flooded property with their belongings
The terrified group – including men, women and children – were ferried to safety by dinghies, with one emergency worker falling into the icy water during the massive night-time evacuation effort
Dramatic footage shows dirty brown water swamping the lobby of the Britannia Country House Hotel in Northenden, Greater Manchester, where the asylum seekers were staying at taxpayers’ expense
With support from fire crews they evacuated the asylum seekers using powered inflatable boats after flooding cut off power and water supplies.
Officers said the flood water was particularly hazardous due to contaminants and its speed of flow.
The hotel is part of the Britannia chain, owned by ‘Asylum king’ Alex Langsam.
The octogenarian tycoon lives in a £3.4million Cheshire mansion and has raked in nearly £100,000 of profit every day despite Britannia being ranked the worst hotel chain in the UK for an entire decade.
He has built up an estimated £248million fortune through Britannia Hotels, which enjoys lucrative taxpayer-funded contracts to house asylum seekers across its 60 sites.
Rescued asylum seekers are now understood to have been put up at other hotels.
Praising hotel operators Serco for their ‘professional and well co-ordinated’ actions during the rescue, Mr Rajabi also paid tribute to volunteers from a local mosque and church who helped the evacuees.
‘The exceptional co-ordination among these organisations demonstrated that we were in capable hands,’ he said.
‘Their efforts undoubtedly saved many lives.
‘This sense of gratitude is not limited to us alone – I am confident that other residents feel equally thankful for these acts of selflessness.
‘We hope these efforts are recognised and celebrated as an example to others.’
Shocked residents – many of whom had only recently reached the UK after illegally crossing the Channel on small boats – watched as the swollen River Mersey swallowed up parked cars on New Year’s Day
Officers said the flood water was particularly hazardous due to contaminants and its speed of flow
Rescued asylum seekers are now understood to have been put up at other hotels
Following the rescue, Assistant Chief Constable Rick Jackson said: ‘We’d like to extend our thanks to the communities of Greater Manchester, particularly those in the severely flooded areas, for pulling together and cooperating with the emergency services.’
Today a Serco spokeswoman said: ‘We can confirm a total of 483 people were evacuated from the hotel by our staff and moved to temporary accommodation following the flood.
‘They will return to the hotel when the necessary repairs are completed.’
The evacuation comes after hotels in Altrincham and Berkshire were turned into migrant accommodation in spite of Labour’s manifesto pledge to end the use of hotels, barges and military sites to house asylum seekers.
The Home Office has said it is committed to tackling the asylum backlog and reducing reliance on hotel accommodation.
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