Following a dramatic rise in the number of migrant arrivals on Lesbos in recent weeks, the Greek government this week moved 1,500 asylum seekers to mainland Greece. On Wednesday, scuffles broke out at the overcrowded Moria reception camp after 300 unaccompanied minors demanded to also be taken to the mainland. But many transferred migrants say the new camps are worse than Moria.
Greek police on Wednesday fired tear gas at hundreds of children who protested in the packed Moria migrant camp on the Greek island of Lesbos, Athens News Agency reported. There were no reports of injuries at the time of publication.
Some 300 unaccompanied minors joined the protest at the overcrowded Moria camp, demanding to be transferred. The young migrants set fire to rubbish bins before being dispersed by teargas.
Earlier this week, a total of 1,500 mainly Afghan asylum seekers, including children, were transferred from Moria to camps on the Greek mainland. One is located in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki, another one near it.