Two dead in gas blast at Greek refugee camp causing protest
Xinhua, November 25, 2016 Adjust font size:
Two refugees died and another two were seriously injured during a fire which broke out following a gas blast at Moria camp on Lesvos island, Greek police said on Friday.
Turmoil followed overnight with dozens of refugees setting tents on fire and scuffling with police in protest of living conditions.
A 60-year-old grandmother and her six-year-old grandson were the victims, according to local police sources.
Her 25-year-old daughter in law and her second grandchild suffered extensive burns and are hospitalized, while six other refugees have been lightly injured, according to the same sources.
According to police investigation, the fire started from a gas canister which exploded when the grandmother tried to cook.
The family tragedy fueled anger at Moria camp. Refugees clashed with police officers during an evacuation operation. At least three tents and a container have been razed by the flames.
Hundreds of people spent the cold night out in the open, while by dawn order was restored.
In recent months Moria camp, as well as other refugee camps on the Greek Aegean Sea islands, have been hit by protests often over poor living conditions and deportations to Turkey.
Under March's EU-Turkey deal, all migrants and refugees landing in Greece who are not eligible for asylum are returned to Turkey.
However, the assessment process of asylum bids is lengthy. As a result, thousands of people remain stranded for several months in overcrowded facilities on the islands.
According to the latest official data released by Greek authorities on Thursday, there are about 6,300 people living in overcrowded centers on Lesvos which have capacity to host 3,500 people. The situation is similar on nearby islands.
More than 60,000 refugees and migrants have been trapped in Greece after the closure of the Balkan route to Central Europe in mid-February. Endi