Thousands flee Greek refugee camp fire

Thousands of migrants were forced to flee after a fire broke out at a refugee camp on the island of Lesbos, Greek police said on 19 September 2016.

No one was believed to have been injured in the fire. Police were reportedly investigating claims that the fire was started deliberately in protest of the conditions at the camp.

Human rights groups had already criticized the condition of Greek migrant camps, highlighting overcrowding and unsanitary living conditions. The European Union had announced further funding to improve conditions for refugees in Greece some days before the incident.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Greece plans new refugee facilities to cut overcrowding on islands http://www.europeansources.info/record/greece-plans-new-refugee-facilities-to-cut-overcrowding-on-islands/

ESO: Background information: Trapped in Greece. An avoidable refugee crisis http://www.europeansources.info/record/trapped-in-greece-an-avoidable-refugee-crisis/

Euronews, 20.09.16: Thousands flee and fire destroys Lesbos migrant camp http://www.euronews.com/2016/09/20/thousands-flee-and-fire-destroys-lesbos-migrant-camp

Greek Reporter, 20.09.16: Moria Camp on Fire; Thousands of Migrants Flee Amidst Chaos http://greece.greekreporter.com/2016/09/20/thousands-of-migrants-flee-moria-camp-amidst-fire-chaos/

Deutsche Welle, 19.09.16: Large fire breaks out at Lesbos refugee camp http://dw.com/p/1K577

Kathimerini, 20.09.16: Hundreds of migrants left without shelter after Lesvos camp blaze http://www.ekathimerini.com/212169/article/ekathimerini/news/hundreds-of-migrants-left-without-shelter-after-lesvos-camp-blaze

BBC News, 20.09.16: Migrants flee burning Greek camp of Moria on Lesbos http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-37413710

France24, 20.09.16: Migrants flee burning camp on Greek island of Lesbos http://www.france24.com/en/20160920-migrants-flee-burning-camp-fire-greece-island-lesbos-moria

EurActiv, 21.09.16: Asylum-seekers flee fire at Greek hotspot as tensions flare http://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/thousands-flee-fire-at-greek-hotspot-as-tensions-flare/

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