Large fire at Greek refugee camp forces thousands to flee
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Riot police stand guard as a large fire burns inside the Moria refugee camp on the northeastern Greek island of Lesbos, September 19. 2016. (Photo by AP)
Thousands of refugees have been forced to flee after a large fire erupted at their camp on the Greek island of Lesbos.
According to Press TV, a police source in Athens said the blaze, which broke out on Monday, left the tents of Moria camp “almost entirely destroyed” and damaged containers that provide additional accommodation as well as health and registration services.
“Between 3,000 and 4,000” refugees fled Moria to the surrounding fields, the source added.
No casualties were reported in the fire which was fanned by strong winds, according to the source.
The officer added that nearly 150 minors housed at the camp were evacuated to a children’s village on Lesbos.
Police say the fire has been deliberately set by those living there.
Firefighters were initially prevented from extinguishing the fire by clashes that erupted among rival nationalities in the camp.
However, the blaze was later brought under control.
Earlier on Monday, tensions ignited in the camp after the spread of rumors that the refugees were to be deported en masse to Turkey, state news agency ANA said.
In March, the European Union and Turkey reached a deal to cope with the influx of refugees into Europe. Under the deal, new arrivals on Greek islands after March 20 face deportation to Turkey unless they successfully apply for asylum in Greece.
The refugee camp fire erupted after two other blazes in the olive groves near Moria were put out.
The Monday incident came as world leaders from the 193 member states took part in the first-ever summit in New York on Addressing Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants.
ME
