More than a million refugees fleeing conflict in Syria and Iraq have made the perilous crossing between Turkey and Greek islands such as Lesbos and Chios in a bid to claim asylum in Europe since previous year.
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One of Greece’s main migrant camps on the island of Lesbos on Monday suffered extensive damage in a fire apparently set on objective, with thousands forced to flee to safety, police said.
Police are reportedly investigating claims that the fire was started deliberately in protest at the conditions at the camp. No casualties were reported, and the cause remains unclear, but the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, linked the fire to poor living conditions and a sense of insecurity among numerous residents.
A total 5,400 migrants and other refugees live on Lesbos – but the island only has accommodation for 3,600 people. “But the biggest number of the refugees are already on the streets, sleeping outside”, Vlashopoulos said.
It was not immediately clear how extensive the fire in the camp was.
The cause of the fire was not known last night.
“On the islands of the northeast Aegean, official facilities have a capacity of 5,450 places, but more than 10,500 people are there”. Almost everyone, including unaccompanied children, had evacuated the site, the police official said on condition of anonymity.
More than 60,000 refugees are now in Greece, majority seeking to reach Germany and other wealthy European countries.
In Brussels, a spokeswoman for the European Commission, Natasha Bertaud, said the Greek government had described the situation as being under control.
Government data cited by AFP says that five Greek islands are housing some 13,000 refugees, while originally they were created to accommodate less than 8,000.
Greek shipping minister Thodoris Dritsas said families would be given priority on the ship.
The shipping ministry said it was looking to charter a ship to help cover “the immediate and urgent need to host, cater and perhaps transfer refugees-migrants”, after the fire and that interested parties should submit their bids by 1930 British time.
The migrants are due to be returned to Turkey as part of a deal between the European Union and Ankara.
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“Witnessing the charred remains of Moria camp is shocking but comes as little surprise”.
