Satellite images show the destruction of the Moria refugee camp, Europe's largest migrant camp, after it was ravaged by a fire

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Sarah Al-ArshaniSep 11, 2020, 12:52 IST
Satellite images show the destruction of the Moria refugee camp, Europe's largest migrant camp, after it was ravaged by a fire

A general view of Moria refugee camp located on island of Lesbos is seen after a fire broke out leaving thousands of people without shelters, in Lesbos, Greece on September 10, 2020.Aggelos Barai/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

  • A fire destroyed almost the entirety of Europe's largest refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos.
  • More than 12,000 are now displaced, the BBC reported.
  • Greek authorities said the fire most likely started by camp residents who were "dissatisfied" with a coronavirus lockdown, CNN reported.
  • Thirty-five people at the camp tested positive for COVID-19 this week.
  • The camp is known for its overcrowding and unsanitary conditions.

The overcrowded Moria refugee camp in Greece was set ablaze on Tuesday night displacing the more than 12,000 migrants being housed there.

Greek authorities said the fire was most likely started by camp residents who were "dissatisfied" with lockdown measures implemented to curb the spread of the coronavirus, after 35 people tested positive for COVID-19 this week, CNN reported.

Non-governmental organizations told the Guardian that the situation is dire and more tragedy is unfolding as the camp still burns.

Annie Petros, head coordinator of the charity Becky's Bathhouse, told the Guardian that police prevented her from taking injured people to the hospital while she was driving them away from the fire.

"When we saw there was a fire we drove as fast as we could with water to the camp, intending to take sick people to hospital. I can't describe properly the scene we saw. There were streams of people, thousands of them, walking away from the camp. They were totally silent, terrified and traumatized, walking through thick smoke and the awful smell of burning plastic," Petros told the outlet.

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The camp which is the largest in Europe is notorious for holding six times its intended capacity of 2,200.

The camp which is the largest in Europe is notorious for holding six times its intended capacity of 2,200.
Overview of the Moria refugee camp on June 17 2020, before the fire. “Satellite image ©2020 Maxar Technologies.”

Source: CNN

The destruction from the fire left more than 12,000 people without shelter.

The destruction from the fire left more than 12,000 people without shelter.
Overview of the Moria refugee camp on September 10 2020, after the fire. “Satellite image ©2020 Maxar Technologies.”

"We now have 12,000 people with no shelter, homeless on the main road. I have been called just now by the army, they want to get food to people and masks, sanitization," Omar Alshakal, a former refugee and founder of Refugees4Refugees, told the Guardian.

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The camp was supposed to be sealed off until September 15. After a man tested positive for the virus, the camp would only allow "security personnel" access after a temperature check.

The camp was supposed to be sealed off until September 15. After a man tested positive for the virus, the camp would only allow "security personnel" access after a temperature check.
Close up view of shelters before the fire at the Moria refugee camp on June 17 2020. “Satellite image ©2020 Maxar Technologies.”

CNN reported that 35 people in the camp tested positive for COVID-19 this week.

Authorities believe the cause of the fire was likely those in the camp who were upset by the lockdown measures.

There have been no reported injuries from the fire yet, but Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis declared a state of emergency.

There have been no reported injuries from the fire yet, but Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis declared a state of emergency.
Close up view of burned shelters after the fire at the Moria refugee camp on September 10 2020. . “Satellite image ©2020 Maxar Technologies.”

"I recognize the difficult conditions. However, nothing can become an alibi for violent reactions to health checks. And, much more, for riots of this magnitude," Mitsotakis said, according to CNN. "The situation in Moria cannot continue because it is a matter of public health, humanity, and national security at the same time."

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There were more than 20,000 people in the camp at the start of the pandemic, but thousands were transferred off the island.

There were more than 20,000 people in the camp at the start of the pandemic, but thousands were transferred off the island.
A man is seen at Moria refugee camp located on island of Lesbos where a fire broke out leaving thousands of people without shelters, in Lesbos, Greece on September 10, 2020. Aggelos Barai/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

"There are still too many people there," Ylva Johansson, the European commissioner for migration told The New York Times this week.

She called the conditions in camp "unacceptable."

The camp is almost entirely destroyed.

The camp is almost entirely destroyed.
The remains of Greece's notoriously overcrowded Moria refugee camp after a fire which destroyed nearly everything on September 10, 2020 in Mytilene, Greece. Milos Bicanski/Getty Images

The New York Times reported that surrounding areas were also impacted and only a medical facility and a small number of tents were spared on Tuesday.

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Many families including those with children slept in the open without any bedding or cover.

Many families including those with children slept in the open without any bedding or cover.
Asylum-seekers retrieve their belongings from their burnt out tents as fires which started Tuesday night continue to rage into Thursday morning inside of Moria camp on September 10, 2020. Byron Smith/Getty Images

Some had to walk miles to the other villages to get access to basic supplies like food and water, Al Jazeera reported.

"Our home burned, my shoes burned, we don't have food, no water," Valencia, an eight-year-old Congolese girl said.

Al Jazeera said Valencia was walking barefoot when she approach a Reuters reporter and asked for a biscuit because she was hungry.

Another smaller fire hit the camp on Wednesday, destroying most of what was spared the night before.

Another smaller fire hit the camp on Wednesday, destroying most of what was spared the night before.
People who lost their shelters during the fire temporarily rest in a cemetery near Moria refugee camp. Aggelos Barai/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Source: BBC

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Around 400 children were flown to mainland Greece.

Around 400 children were flown to mainland Greece.
Children are seen in and around a waste containers at Moria refugee camp. Aggelos Barai/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Source: BBC

Around 2,000 people would be temporarily sheltered on ships, Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi said.

Around 2,000 people would be temporarily sheltered on ships, Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi said.
Migrants gather during a food distribution two days after Greece's biggest and most notorious migrant camp, Moria, was destroyed by fire, on September 10, 2020. ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP via Getty Images

The Greek ferry Blue Star Chios, which can accommodate 1,000 people has already docked at a port 60 miles away from the main island. Two naval vessels will also be sent to hold some who are displaced, the BBC reported.

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