OREANDA-NEWS. A fire that broke out last night destroyed the large camp of migrants Moria located on the Greek island of Lesbos. 12.5 thousand people were left homeless. It was reported on September 8 by the Greek state television ERT.

The fire broke out at about 02:00 local time (23:00 UTC). The camp was almost completely burned down, and a large number of refugees fled to the surrounding mountains. Many went to the city of Mytilene.

Presumably, the fire began due to arson during the unrest of migrants caused by the announcement that 35 people in the camp were infected with coronavirus and will be isolated together with their families. Some refused to go into isolation. Others tried to leave the camp, heading towards the mountains, believing that this way they could avoid the danger connected to the illness. The tents caught fire at night, and the entire infrastructure of the camp was destroyed.

Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas told ERT that a state of emergency has been declared on Lesbos, and all migrants are prohibited from leaving the island, since coronavirus testing has not been completed.