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Lesbos migrants protest as they spend fourth day on streets

Refugees and migrants from the destroyed Moria camp hold placards as they protest after the news about the creation of a new temporary camp, on the island of Lesbos, Greece September 12, 2020. (Photo by Reuters)

Migrants on the island of Lesbos protested for a second day on Saturday, September 12, over conditions after being left homeless from a fire that burned down their camp.

Thousands have been sleeping rough since flames swept through the island's notoriously overcrowded Moria camp earlier this week. Protesting migrants, including dozens of small children, carried hand-written signs reading "Moria kills" and "Can you hear us Mrs Merkel?" in reference to German chancellor Angela Merkel.

Riot police monitored the protest. Police reinforcements have been brought into the island to maintain the peace since Moria burned down early on Wednesday. Authorities were preparing hundreds of tents to shelter the migrants who woke up for a fourth day on the streets on Saturday.

On Friday thousands of migrants protested in front of police against being placed in a new camp and demanding they be allowed to leave Lesbos. EU and government officials said on Friday a new reception centre was to replace Moria camp.

Authorities began handing out food and water to the migrants on Thursday, who have started building makeshift shelters on the roads from blankets, branches, plastic tarps and bamboo reeds.

Police are investigating the cause of the fire. Government officials believe it may have been started intentionally by migrants opposed to a quarantine on the camp due to coronavirus cases. Thirty five migrants had tested positive before the fire.

(Source: Reuters) 


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