Thousands of migrants fled from Moria camp on the Greek island of Lesvos after a large fire destroyed tents and prefabricated houses.
Earlier the migrants were protesting about the living conditions at the camp and set fire to the facilities. The camp houses many unaccompanied minors.
Authorities estimate that about 60 percent of the camp is destroyed, with the blaze burning dozens of acres of land around the camp. Locals were enraged since the area around the camp is olive tree land.
Two riot police units from Athens have been deployed, while migration authorities consider sending a chartered ship to serve as a temporary accommodation facility.
All migrants and refugees have fled the camp with many families moving towards capital Mytilene, but authorities prevented them. Migrants sought shelter in surrounding areas, while some returned to the camp after the flames were exrtinguished.
However, the camp cannot accommodate migrants at the moment. About 4,000 migrants and refugees are staying in the overcrowded hotspot that can only hold 2,500 people.
After multiple fights between nationalities and no #security for the 6000 ppl inside, #Moria camp is now on fire pic.twitter.com/6Q2d8awm9N
— Julie Delem (@julie_lescaut) September 19, 2016
Three time a day, #Moria‘s refugees have to queue up one/two hours to receive food and water # Lesvos #tensions pic.twitter.com/wUEx0rZ8cD
— Julie Delem (@julie_lescaut) September 19, 2016
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