Clashes break out, fires lit at overcrowded Cyprus migrant centre

Clashes seem to have damaged out between two teams within the reception centre, in keeping with police.

Migrants leave Pournara refugee camp during clashes in Kokkinotrimithia on the outskirts of Nicosia
Migrants depart Pournara refugee camp throughout clashes [Yiannis Kourtoglou/Reuters]

Police have fired tear gasoline after clashes broke out and fires had been lit at an overcrowded reception centre for migrants in Cyprus, in keeping with police and witnesses.

No less than one particular person wanted a hospital therapy after being injured on Friday on the Pournaras reception facility, about 22km (14 miles) west of the capital, Nicosia.

Individuals hurled rocks and objects at one another, forcing many to flee in panic, and firefighters rushed to extinguish a blaze that despatched billowing smoke into the sky. Tensions later “calmed”, a police mentioned.

Migrants watch a fire outside Pournara refugee camp during clashes in Kokkinotrimithia on the outskirts of Nicosia
Migrants watch a hearth exterior Pournara refugee camp throughout clashes [Yiannis Kourtoglou/Reuters]

Police mentioned clashes appeared to have damaged out between two teams within the centre. The fires had been extinguished by the hearth brigade however sporadic clashes continued till early afternoon, police mentioned.

“Quite a lot of tents had been burnt … the state of affairs has now calmed down,” a police spokesman mentioned.

Cypriot information outlet Philenews mentioned clashes broke between asylum seekers from Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria, two of the biggest migrant teams in Cyprus.

Overcrowded centres

Pournaras has been housing properly over its 1,000-person capability as Cyprus struggles to deal with an inflow of asylum seekers from Syria and African nations.

Many journey to the southern a part of the island, managed by the internationally recognised authorities of ethnically cut up Cyprus, by means of a buffer zone that separates it from the Turkish Cypriot-controlled space.

Authorities in Nicosia final week mentioned this yr alone, 17,000 folks had entered their jurisdiction by means of irregular channels. There have been 12,285 in the entire of 2021.

A migrant walks next to burned tents in Pournara refugee camp during clashes in Kokkinotrimithia on the outskirts of Nicosia
A migrant walks subsequent to burned tents in Pournara refugee camp [Yiannis Kourtoglou/Reuters]

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