Sep 9, 2020 06:33 PM
(This post was last modified: Sep 9, 2020 06:48 PM by C C.)
https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/09/europe/gr...index.html
EXCERPTS: Europe's largest migrant camp, Moria, has been "completely destroyed" after massive fires broke out early Wednesday at the overcrowded site on Greece's Lesbos island, according to an eyewitness.
Firefighters are trying to contain the fire at the refugee camp, home to an estimated 13,000 people, more than six times its maximum capacity of 2,200 people. More than 4,000 children, including 407 unaccompanied minors, live in the camp, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency. There are no reports of injuries so far, and authorities have said they are still assessing the scope of the damage. George Moutafis, a photographer on the ground, told Greek TV channel Mega that the camp has been "completely destroyed."
The cause of the fire remains unknown, according to Greek authorities [i.e., it's politically incorrect to divulge it]. The camp is under lockdown after 35 people tested positive for Covid-19 earlier this week. Local media suggested the fires may have been started deliberately.
Migrants on the ground also report that the fires were started by refugee protesters when a demonstration erupted over lockdown measures. "Last night some people living in the camp were angry about the quarantine. They started a small fire. So police came and there was tear gas. And then the fire grew and we had to run," said a camp resident, who declined to disclose his full name for security reasons.
"All the camp is burned. There is nothing there. I am standing out on the street, near the camp, there are many people here. There is also police but they don't tell us where to go," said the resident. "We have no food or water. They say 'wait here.' It is very hot today and there are women and babies."
[...] Congolese camp resident Paul Kadima Muzangueno told CNN that a group of minors "started the fire." "They started fires everywhere," said Muzangueno. "Everything deteriorated quickly. The police did not contain the situation."
[...] "UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, deplores the fire that largely destroyed Moria's Registration and Identification Center (RIC) last night and thanks to the local authorities, including the fire department and emergency services that helped to contain the fire and assisted the people," the statement said. (MORE - details)
Thousands left without shelter after fires erupt at Greece's quarantined refugee camp Moria
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/n9X979d618I
EXCERPTS: Europe's largest migrant camp, Moria, has been "completely destroyed" after massive fires broke out early Wednesday at the overcrowded site on Greece's Lesbos island, according to an eyewitness.
Firefighters are trying to contain the fire at the refugee camp, home to an estimated 13,000 people, more than six times its maximum capacity of 2,200 people. More than 4,000 children, including 407 unaccompanied minors, live in the camp, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency. There are no reports of injuries so far, and authorities have said they are still assessing the scope of the damage. George Moutafis, a photographer on the ground, told Greek TV channel Mega that the camp has been "completely destroyed."
The cause of the fire remains unknown, according to Greek authorities [i.e., it's politically incorrect to divulge it]. The camp is under lockdown after 35 people tested positive for Covid-19 earlier this week. Local media suggested the fires may have been started deliberately.
Migrants on the ground also report that the fires were started by refugee protesters when a demonstration erupted over lockdown measures. "Last night some people living in the camp were angry about the quarantine. They started a small fire. So police came and there was tear gas. And then the fire grew and we had to run," said a camp resident, who declined to disclose his full name for security reasons.
"All the camp is burned. There is nothing there. I am standing out on the street, near the camp, there are many people here. There is also police but they don't tell us where to go," said the resident. "We have no food or water. They say 'wait here.' It is very hot today and there are women and babies."
[...] Congolese camp resident Paul Kadima Muzangueno told CNN that a group of minors "started the fire." "They started fires everywhere," said Muzangueno. "Everything deteriorated quickly. The police did not contain the situation."
[...] "UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, deplores the fire that largely destroyed Moria's Registration and Identification Center (RIC) last night and thanks to the local authorities, including the fire department and emergency services that helped to contain the fire and assisted the people," the statement said. (MORE - details)
Thousands left without shelter after fires erupt at Greece's quarantined refugee camp Moria
