More fires broke out and new violent fights took place for the second night in a row at the Souda migrant camp on Chios island on Thursday night.
The incidents started when two petrol bombs were hurled inside the camp from the outside. The molotov cocktails set fire to two tents that were destroyed completely.
The news of the fire in the camp reached a group of people who were rallying for the Polytechneio uprising commemorative day. About 30 of them moved toward the camp.
When the group reached the camp, they were blocked by riot police who had gathered there after the fires. At the same time, a rightist group had arrived on the spot and exchanged angry words and insults with the demonstrators.
At about 11:00 pm, more molotov cocktails and firecrackers were hurled inside the camp over the wall. As a result, about 150 migrants and refugees, mostly families with children, ran out of the camp searching for shelter in a nearby building.
Around midnight, two volunteers who were staying with the fleeing refugees, were attacked and beaten by a group of 30 people. The two volunteers were transferred to the hospital suffering minor injuries.
According to a report from local website astraparis.gr, police could not intervene because they were busy with the chaos that ensued inside the camp as more petrol bombs and firecrackers were thrown inside the camp and burned more tents. At the same time, a refugee was attacked in the city center and was violently beaten. He was also taken to the hospital.
European Commission complaints about security in hot spots
The European Commission has complained about security in migrant registration facilities. Belgium withdrew all asylum staff who were working at the Souda camp last week claiming safety concerns.
An EC official in Brussels stated on Thursday that the EU is “aware of the security situation in the Greek islands and the potential risks,” and that Commissioner on migration Dimitris Avramopoulos has “repeatedly contacted Greek authorities for the lack of security of the European Asylum Support Office staff.”
Commissioner Avramopoulos had sent and a letter to Migration Policy Minister Yiannis Mouzalas on November 4, stressing that the EU Member States need guarantees for the protection and safety of employees who send and pushed for “immediate improvement of the conditions.”
Meanwhile, Chios Mayor Manolis Vournous asked for the evacuation of the camp after Wednesday’s incidents, claiming that the camp is overcrowded and angry migrants cause trouble. He said that he is worried about the safety of local residents.
At the same time, ultra rightist groups have mobilized on the island adding fuel to fire.
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