Lesbos Municipality Informed Gov’t on Moria Refugee Camp Difficult Situation

Municipality of Lesbos numerous times informed the Greek government on a difficult and dangerous situation in overcrowded Moria refugee camp that recently suffered a fire, the press office of the mayor of Lesbos told Sputnik on Tuesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On Monday, some 4,000 migrants were evacuated from the Moria camp after a fire destroyed tents and shelters where refugees were hosted. Police reportedly said there was "no doubt" that the fire had been set intentionally, adding that the wind contributed to its fast spreading. The fire is said to have been started as a result of different refugee groups' riots and clashes on the island.

"We have been sending numerous letters to the [Interior] Ministry and the central Government explaining that the situation is really difficult. We’ve said already that it is a very dangerous situation and given that the local population in Moria is really pressed by the administration of this crisis all these months," the press office said.

According to the press office, there have been many riots inside the accommodation center in Moria because of its overcrowding.

"From what we know from 50 percent to 60 percent of the camp is destroyed. There are still rooms for people to stay, but we can’t confirm that information," the press office added.

The European Union is currently struggling to manage a massive refugee crisis, with hundreds of thousands of people fleeing conflict-torn countries in the Middle East and North Africa. The EU border agency Frontex recorded more than 1.8 million illegal border crossings into the bloc in 2015. Greece is the main transit route for refugees coming across the Aegean Sea from Turkey.