Greek island pleads for refugee evacuations after fire

Migrants carry food at the Moria refugee camp on the northeastern Greek island of Lesbos, on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016, after a fire gutted the camp following protests at the camp. Authorities of the island of Lesbos are calling for the immediate evacuation of thousands of refugees to the Greek mainland, following the fire and nine migrants suspected of starting the blaze have been arrested, authorities said Tuesday. (Dimitris Tosidis/InTime News via AP) (The Associated Press)

ATHENS, Greece – Authorities of the island of Lesbos are calling for the immediate evacuation of thousands of refugees to the Greek mainland after a fire gutted a detention camp following protests.

Regional governor Christiana Kalogirou said Tuesday she had repeatedly warned the government that camps on the east Aegean Sea islands were dangerously overcrowded.

More than 4,000 people were housed at the camp at Moria on Lesbos where fire which broke out Monday destroyed or damaged tents and trailers. There were no reports of any migrants being injured.

The government is expected to charter a passenger ferry to provide temporary accommodation while the camp is repaired.