Published : 20-04-2020
A fire has torn through one of Greece's largest refugee camps on Chios island, causing widespread damage and rendering up to hundreds of people homeless.
The blaze started following a protest over the death of a 47-year-old Iraqi asylum seeker who was cleared of having the coronavirus. But many residents at the overcrowded camp still believed she died of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.
The blaze late on Saturday at Vial camp destroyed the facilities of the European asylum service, a camp canteen, warehouse tents and many housing containers, Migration Ministry Secretary Manos Logothetis told the AFP news agency.
"A large part of the camp's administrative services was destroyed," said Logothetis, adding that no injuries were reported.
The UN refugee agency's spokesperson in Athens, Boris Cheshirkov, said the damage was still being evaluated but that many camp residents have likely been left homeless.
"Authorities are still assessing the damage but a few hundred people are likely affected because their shelters have burned down. We have donated tents to the authorities which can quickly be put into use and we will assist in replacing the warehouse tents," he told the AFP.
Camps in Greece have been under quarantine in recent weeks, with authorities trying to keep residents apart from locals.
The virus has so far killed 110 people in Greece. Another 67 are in intensive care.
Palestinian refugees from Syria continue to risk their lives onboard the “death boats” to Greece, rummaging around for a momentary respite from violence and economic hardship.
AGPS has kept record of the death of dozens of refugees onboard Greece-bound ships. Several others have been arrested by Turkish coast guards.
Activists estimate that around 4,000 Palestinian refugees from Syria are taking cover on such Greek islands as Lesbos, Mytilene, Chios, Leros, and Kos, among other areas.
A fire has torn through one of Greece's largest refugee camps on Chios island, causing widespread damage and rendering up to hundreds of people homeless.
The blaze started following a protest over the death of a 47-year-old Iraqi asylum seeker who was cleared of having the coronavirus. But many residents at the overcrowded camp still believed she died of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.
The blaze late on Saturday at Vial camp destroyed the facilities of the European asylum service, a camp canteen, warehouse tents and many housing containers, Migration Ministry Secretary Manos Logothetis told the AFP news agency.
"A large part of the camp's administrative services was destroyed," said Logothetis, adding that no injuries were reported.
The UN refugee agency's spokesperson in Athens, Boris Cheshirkov, said the damage was still being evaluated but that many camp residents have likely been left homeless.
"Authorities are still assessing the damage but a few hundred people are likely affected because their shelters have burned down. We have donated tents to the authorities which can quickly be put into use and we will assist in replacing the warehouse tents," he told the AFP.
Camps in Greece have been under quarantine in recent weeks, with authorities trying to keep residents apart from locals.
The virus has so far killed 110 people in Greece. Another 67 are in intensive care.
Palestinian refugees from Syria continue to risk their lives onboard the “death boats” to Greece, rummaging around for a momentary respite from violence and economic hardship.
AGPS has kept record of the death of dozens of refugees onboard Greece-bound ships. Several others have been arrested by Turkish coast guards.
Activists estimate that around 4,000 Palestinian refugees from Syria are taking cover on such Greek islands as Lesbos, Mytilene, Chios, Leros, and Kos, among other areas.
