Migrant Invasion of Europe Part 19

From last year – Thousands of refugees and other migrants have been trying to get into EU member Greece in the past week after Turkey declared that its previously guarded borders with Europe were open. Following months of threats, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said last week that his country, which already houses more than… Continue reading Migrant Invasion of Europe Part 19

Migrant Invasion of Europe Part 18

Clashes between Greek riot police and migrants attempting to cross the border from Turkey erupted anew Friday as European Union foreign ministers criticized Turkey for using migrants’ desperation “for political purposes.” Greek riot police used tear gas and a water cannon in the morning to drive back people trying to cross its land border with… Continue reading Migrant Invasion of Europe Part 18

Jan 2021. The Day Moria Burned Part 3

The migrant camp, Moria, on Lesbos was nearly burned down last year. It is unclear exactly how the fires started, but Greek Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi said the “incidents in Moria began with the asylum seekers because of the quarantine imposed”. Some of the 35 people who had tested positive for Covid-19 had reportedly refused… Continue reading Jan 2021. The Day Moria Burned Part 3

Jan 2021. The Day Moria Burned Part 2

The largest migrant camp in Greece, on Lesbos, was burned down by fire. Fires broke out in more than three places in a short space of time, local fire chief Konstantinos Theofilopoulos told state television channel ERT. Some protesting migrants hindered firefighters who tried to tackle the flames, he said. The main blaze, which was… Continue reading Jan 2021. The Day Moria Burned Part 2

Jan 2021. The Day Moria Burned Part 1

Fires have destroyed Greece’s largest migrant camp, an overcrowded facility on the island of Lesbos, leaving nearly 13,000 people without shelter. Some 20 firefighters battled the blaze at the Moria camp – designed for fewer than 3,000 people – as migrants, many suffering from smoke exposure, fled. Greece’s migration minister said the fires “began with… Continue reading Jan 2021. The Day Moria Burned Part 1

Sep 2020. Greek Refugee Camp Destroyed by Fire Part 2

An aerial view of destroyed shelters following a fire at the Moria camp for refugees and migrants on the Island of Lesbos, Greece September 9, 2020. Picture taken with a drone. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Lesbos, Greece – In the middle of the burned remains that were once the Moria refugee camp lies a notebook left behind by one of the thousands of people who rushed to save their lives when fires tore through the sprawling refugee camp on Lesbos. On one page, a few basic sentences. The book had belonged… Continue reading Sep 2020. Greek Refugee Camp Destroyed by Fire Part 2

Sep 2020. Greek Refugee Camp Destroyed by Fire Part 1

Fires have destroyed Greece’s largest migrant camp, an overcrowded facility on the island of Lesbos, leaving nearly 13,000 people without shelter. Some 20 firefighters battled the blaze at the Moria camp – designed for fewer than 3,000 people – as migrants, many suffering from smoke exposure, fled. Greece’s migration minister said the fires “began with… Continue reading Sep 2020. Greek Refugee Camp Destroyed by Fire Part 1

Migrant Invasion of Europe Part 17

The movement of migrants is part of a “mass, organised and coordinated operation” to destabilise Greece. Meanwhile, thousands of Greek-Americans have signed a letter to the US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, telling him that Erdoğan “is weaponizing migrants who are not even from Syria in order to blackmail Europe. These are not the actions… Continue reading Migrant Invasion of Europe Part 17

Migrant Invasion of Europe Part 16

As well as dispatching elite troops to the region, the President of Greece, Mitsotákis’ centre-right government also decided to extend the existing 12.5km razor-wire border fence, equipped with sonar systems and thermal sensors, by another 40km, officials said. New sections will be placed in areas believed to be “vulnerable” to passage along the Evros river… Continue reading Migrant Invasion of Europe Part 16

Migrant Invasion of Europe Part 15

Greece’s decision to keep its borders shut to asylum seekers is widely supported among EU leaders, who fear a repeat of the 2015 migration crisis, when more than 1 million people arrived in Europe after the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, signalled that the doors were open to them. Austria’s chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, warned EU states… Continue reading Migrant Invasion of Europe Part 15