More than 6,000 refugees and migrants have piled up at the former Athens airport at Elliniko living under squalid conditions with the management of “Elliniko SA” warning of a health hazard.
Greek authorities are using the former airport facilities as a temporary refugee hospitality facility. However, the closed facilities are full and as a result hundreds of refugees and migrants are staying in tents outside the buildings.
The management of the facilities have sent a letter to health authorities warning of possible epidemic outbreaks due to the unhygienic conditions and overcrowding.
Elliniko-Argyroupolis Mayor Yannis Konstantatos spoke to MEGA television on Tuesday morning describing the “unacceptable living conditions” of refugees and migrants.
Characteristically, Konstantatos said that inside the arrivals terminal the temperature reaches 40 degrees Celsius this time of the year and migrants have been forced to break the glass sheets for air circulation.
“The place is 40 degrees. The area is unsuitable for hosting people. We could not stand to stay there for even one day. Yesterday, they were asking to break the glass sheets of the hall because the terminal has no windows,” the mayor said.
There are only 30-40 chemical toilets to service 6,000, the mayor continued, and as a result the neighboring Agios Kosmas beach has become an “endless toilet.” In addition, migrants have broken water pipes in order to use the water, cutting water supply to the adjacent Agios Kosmas sports center.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9koK3NJRLYs
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