Fire has destroyed Greece’s largest migrant camp, the overcrowded Moria facility on the island of Lesbos.
Nearly 13,000 migrants have fled Greece’s largest migrant camp as it went up in flames last night on the Greek island of Lesbos. The BBC reports that police have blocked migrants heading to the port town of Mytilene, leaving them stuck on the road.
Tensions have allegedly been stirred between locals and migrants as they attempt to move into villages for refuge.
About 25 firefighters with 10 engines battled the flames as migrants were evacuated. Some suffered injuries from smoke exposure.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called an emergency meeting on the fire on Wednesday morning. The EU has agreed to finance the transfer of 400 unaccompanied teenagers and children to the mainland and their accommodation, according to EU home affairs commissioner Ylva Johansson.”
The safety and shelter of all people in Moria is a priority,” she tweeted.
As the blaze intensified, people were seen escaping the camp, carrying their luggage in their hands.
Nearly the entire camp was reportedly on fire, including in an olive grove outside the walls of the main compound where many people sleep in tents.
It is unclear how exactly the fires started. Greek news agency ANA said the fires had broken out after some of the 35 coronavirus victims had refused to move into isolation with their families but this is unconfirmed.
Wildfires fanned by strong winds were also burning in two other areas of the island.
