As a fire raged through the Moria migrant camp on the Greek island of Lesvos Monday night, more than half of the 4,400 residents of the overcrowded camp fled the blaze, only to return on Tuesday to ashes.
The large fire that ripped through the camp destroyed 50 huts that were home to 800-plus refugees as well as 40-50 tents, according to the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).
Currently municipal crews are working to clean up the camp as UNHCR is in wait to pitch new tents and NPOs will be donating mattresses, blankets and water for the 2,000-plus migrants who were affected by the blaze. ANA-MPA reports that some 100 family-size tents able to house 6-10 people are expected to arrive from Athens on Wednesday.
The exact cause of the fire is unknown and authorities have detained nine migrants in connection to the incident.
The Shipping Ministry has also stepped in, sending a vessel to accommodate over 1,000 migrants and “will be used as a hosting facility noting that priority will be given to families,” according to Shipping and Island Policy Minister Thodoris Dritsas who spoke to Praktoreio 104.9 FM on Tuesday.
The ship is expected to arrive on Lesvos on Wednesday, as Dritsas added, “If needed we will send a second ship and this procedure will be short and will be evaluated de facto.”
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