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Greece’s largest migrant camp, Moria, on the island of Lesbos, was completely destroyed by fire. All the migrants were evacuated, but some were left intoxicated by the smoke. The camp housed nearly 13,000 people, more than four times the expected maximum capacity.
For him BBCThough not officially confirmed, the fire was allegedly started by migrants protesting the quarantine imposed by authorities after a migrant tested positive for coronavirus last week. There are 35 confirmed cases. According to InfoMmigration, about 70 percent of the people living in the countryside come from Afghanistan.
People escaping from #Moria.
We pray that these people have had enough trauma tonight as we are simultaneously receiving reports of some locals attacking and blocking people’s passage to the nearby village. https://t.co/CvtHGQ2zMt | #StandingTogetherForLesvos pic.twitter.com/ADoOMw2wcu– Stand by Me Lesvos (@standbymelesvos) September 8, 2020
The police have closed the roads that link the camp with neighboring countries to prevent migrants, thousands of homeless people, from reaching them. The Greek government has declared a state of emergency for the island of Lesbos for four days starting Wednesday. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas called the fire a “humanitarian disaster” and called on EU countries to help relocate the refugees.
I was in #Moria happened is a humanitarian disaster. We need to clarify as soon as possible with the EU Commission and other useful EU member states how we can support Greece. This also includes the distribution of refugees among those willing to host in the EU.
– Heiko Maas ???????? (@HeikoMaas) September 9, 2020
Always according to BBC some residents allegedly prevented migrants who escaped the fire from crossing a village near the camp. UNHCR, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, confirmed in a statement that the agency is aware that there are tensions between the local population and migrants, but urged everyone to remain calm and called for Refugees to move as little as possible. possible from the camp while looking for a temporary accommodation solution.
We deployed our staff and offered assistance to the Greek authorities following the fire at the asylum center in #Moria
Our priority is the safety of asylum seekers, including more than 4,000 children, pregnant women and the elderly https://t.co/sPZHgB7E4r
– UNHCR Italy (@UNHCRItalia) September 9, 2020
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