Three hurt as asylum-seekers clash on Greek island

Following violence between groups of Syrians and Afghans in the town of Vathy


Afp October 15, 2019
Migrants from Afghanistan board a catamaran that will transfer them to the mainland in Mytilene on the island of Lesbos, Greece. (Photo: Reuters/File)

ATHENS, GREECE: At least three people were hurt in a clash between asylum-seekers in a town on the Greek island of Samos, police sources said Tuesday.

They said the violence, apparently between groups of Syrians and Afghans, erupted in the town of Vathy late on Monday.

A fire later broke out outside the camp that authorities managed to place under control early on Tuesday morning.

UN 'regrets' impact US top court ruling will have on asylum seekers

"Half of the 6,000 people who are stuck in Vathy camp on Samos are women and children," medical charity MSF said in a tweet.

"This nightmare must end! Children and other vulnerable people must be evacuated from the Greek islands to safe accommodation."

There are over 32,000 migrants and refugees in camps on Aegean islands near Turkey, most of them vastly overcrowded, unhygienic and violence-prone.

US and El Salvador sign agreement on asylum to curb migration

In September, a woman died and over a dozen people were injured in the camp of Moria on the island of Lesbos, the country's most overpopulated migrant facility.

There are over 13,000 people in Moria for under 3,000 places. Many sleep in tents outside the camp.

Greece is hosting some 70,000 asylum-seekers, mainly Syrians and Afghans. There are fears that Turkey's ongoing offensive in Syria will spark a new migration wave to Europe.

COMMENTS (1)

Bunny Rabbit | 4 years ago | Reply I will advice the Syrians to go back and start life afresh. Saddam , Gaddafi etc were so called dictators but at least there was stability then. look at those countries now - at the mercy of US or Russia or .. some other super power trying to further their arms market . Asad is not that bad after all.
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ