Woman and child dead in fire at Moria refugee camp, police respond with tear gas

·

A wildfire in Moria hotspot broke out yesterday, leaving at least 2 refugees dead. It has not been confirmed yet whether there are more casualties.

It was reported the fire broke out due to an electricity short circuit.

A forensic examination is underway of the charred corpse of a woman, which was transferred from Moria to Lesvos General Hospital on Sunday evening by a local individual.

Police are trying to reach the burnt housing containers where a second corpse, of a child, is reportedly located, police sources say.

Meanwhile, additional police forces are being deployed to Lesvos to help contain clashes between camp residents and local police.

In a statement by police headquarters, the upheaval broke out after two fires that occurred separately, first outside and then inside Moria camp.

Furthermore, the Deputy Minister of Citizen Protection Lefteris Economou, along with the Chief of Police and the Secretary General for Migration Policy are heading to Lesvos.

The first fire occurred 400 meters outside the camp, while a second fire occurred twenty minutes later at a housing unit inside the camp, which was destroyed while flames spread to adjacent housing units.

Witnesses also shared reports of police responding with tear gas and abuse, to contain the panic.

Humanitarian aid organisation, Movement On The Ground, wrote on their social media:

“Unfortunately we can’t say that we are shocked. Over a month ago we rang the alarm that the situation in and around Moria was extremely worrying. And today, despite all our efforts we regret it was in vain for the souls we lost today,” they said.

“We continue our mission as we are here to serve the people but we realize more than ever this situation needs to change.”

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Mytilenian Brotherhood of Sydney hosts annual cherry picking weekend

The Mytilenian Brotherhood of Sydney held its much-anticipated annual Cherry Picking Weekend from Saturday, December 7 to Sunday, December 8.

Brisbane’s Greek community enjoys inaugural ‘Christmas Carols by Candlelight’

The Holy Diocese of Brisbane hosted its first-ever "Christmas Carols by Candlelight" on Sunday, December 8, at the Church of Saint George.

Study Modern Greek at UNSW thanks to the 1821 Scholarship Program

Students with a passion for Greek language are being encouraged to apply for the newly launched 1821 Scholarship at the UNSW.

Demi Koulizakis to take part in Australia Women’s National Futsal Team selection camp

Demi Koulizakis is among the 24 players invited to attend a domestic selection camp in Sydney for the Australia Women’s National Futsal Team.

Greek Community of Melbourne Schools farewell their VCE graduates

The Greek Community of Melbourne Schools proudly hosted their VCE graduation ceremony on Saturday, December 7, at the Greek Centre.

You May Also Like

NSW fast-tracks freedoms for fully vaccinated people

Freedoms for fully vaccinated NSW residents have been brought forward from the original December 1 date to next Monday, November 8.

‘It’s been challenging’: Maria Routsis on the ‘crisis’ facing Australia’s childcare sector

New figures from the Education Department show how Australia's childcare sector is emerging from the Omicron wave in "crisis,"

Former High Commissioner of Cyprus in Australia, Ambassador Philippos Kritiotis, passes away

The Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs has released a statement confirming the death of former High Commissioner in Australia, Ambassador Philippos Kritiotis.