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A fire broke out in the Moria refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos. Rescue forces are trying to extinguish and save the 12,000 migrants. The overcrowded camp was quarantined due to Corona.
Several fires broke out overnight in and around the Moria refugee camp on Lesbos. According to media reports, the residential containers are also on fire, which is why the authorities evacuated the camp. Meanwhile, almost everyone has fled the camp, which was almost on fire, Greek state radio station ERT reported.
Strong winds, some of which reached 60 kilometers per hour, fanned the flames. Aid organizations and local volunteers reported on social media about people for whom smoke and flames had cut off their escape routes. At least 28 firefighters with nine volunteer vehicles are fighting the flames, according to the Reuters news agency.
The cause is still unclear
There were different statements about the causes of the fires: Some residents of the camp spoke of fires caused by islanders. According to other reports, the migrants set themselves on fire and then prevented firefighters from extinguishing the fire.
The island’s emergency services have been busy with a large forest fire about 25 kilometers northwest of Moria since Tuesday night.
Overcrowded and quarantined
The Moria refugee camp has been overcrowded for years, something that aid organizations always criticize. According to the Greek Migration Ministry, around 12,600 refugees and migrants currently live there, with a capacity of just 2,800 places.
The camp has been in quarantine since last week because 35 migrants have tested positive for the corona virus.
