Thousands of Moria migrants moved into new camp

The relocation is complicated by a local outbreak of coronavirus

A man drags his belongings as refugees and migrants from the destroyed Moria camp walk towards a new temporary camp, on the island of Lesbos, Greece. Reuters

Refugees and migrants who were sheltered near the destroyed Moria camp, carry their belongings as they prepare to move to a new temporary camp, on the island of Lesbos, Greece. Reuters

Refugees and migrants who were sheltered near the destroyed Moria camp, carry their belongings as they prepare to move to a new temporary camp, on the island of Lesbos, Greece. Reuters

An aerial view of the new temporary camp near Kara Tepe on Lesbos island, Greece, Another 2,000 refugees and migrants were settled into the new temporary hosting facility at Kara Tepe. EPA

An aerial view of the new temporary camp near Kara Tepe on Lesbos island, Greece, 18 September 2020. Another 2,000 refugees and migrants were settled into the new temporary hosting facility at Kara Tepe. EPA

Asylum seekers wait with their belongings as refugees and migrants from the destroyed Moria camp wait to enter into the new temporary camp near Kara Tepe on Lesbos island, Greece. EPA

Asylum seekers wait in a line with their belongings as refugees and migrants from the destroyed Moria camp wait to enter into the new temporary camp near Kara Tepe on Lesbos island, Greece. EPA

Police on the Greek island of Lesbos on Friday relocated over a thousand more migrants who had been homeless since fires ravaged the country's largest refugee camp.

The number of people moved to the new army-built camp on the island reached 6,100, officials said, adding that a total of 187 so far have tested positive for coronavirus.

Some migrants carried infants on their backs or pulled plastic vegetable crates loaded with their belongings. Others used trash bins and strollers to transport their clothes and cooking equipment.

Government officials said they expected the operation to last through to Sunday.

More than 12,000 migrants and refugees fled the fires at the Moria camp two weeks ago. Thousands have slept outdoors on a nearby roadside in the nights since then.

Michalis Chrisochoidis, a minister in charge of public order, said that the fire-ravaged camp would be cleared “Moria is over,” he told private Thema radio.

“It will be bulldozed. It is something that should not be remembered. It should not remain in the mind or in the soul of anyone.”

Greece has long received a disproportionate share of MENA migrants. The European Union is preparing to issue proposals next week for a major overhaul of the 27-nation bloc's migration policies.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis discussed these proposals, as well as EU aid for Lesbos migrants, on a video call with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and German Chancellor, officials said.