Police disperse migrant protest on Lesbos with tear gas on September 12
Category: Unrest
Severity: 3 (Moderate)
Source: Drum Cussac
09/12/2020 (Greece) - Greek police dispersed a large migrant protest on Lesbos with tear gas on Saturday, September 12. Hundreds of migrants, who were demonstrating over poor living conditions following a fire at the Moria camp on Wednesday, September 9, attempted to march towards the town of Mytilene before being dispersed. Social media reports indicate that protests are ongoing as of 13:00 (local time) in the vicinity of the camp.
Further protests are likely in the near term. A heightened security presence and resulting clashes between protesters and security forces are possible. Disruption to transportation and business should be expected in the vicinity of protests.
Context
Thousands of shelters in Moria camp were destroyed in the September 9 fire, leaving approximately 13,000 people with nowhere to stay. Greek authorities have sent three ships to provide accommodation for some of those left without shelter, and the EU has put forward a plan to relocate 400 unaccompanied minors. Tensions between the migrants, Greek authorities, and local residents have been high since a 15-day quarantine was imposed on the camp on September 2 after a Somali man was diagnosed with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Since then, dozens of new cases have been identified among the camp's population.
Those on Lesbos are advised to monitor the situation, avoid the vicinity of the camp, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.
Copyright © 2024 Drum Cussac
Related
News Alerts and Safety Profiles are provided strictly for informational purposes and contain the best available data at the time of writing. While every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy, the information in this report has not been independently verified and HTH Worldwide therefore accepts no responsibility or liability for any inaccuracies in such information and any such liability is expressly denied, and no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made. Documents may be amended or withdrawn at any time without cause.