The Greek government plans to built the pre-departure center for migrants and refugees on the island of Lesvos inside a forest fire zone. The structure is scheduled to host up to 7,000 people, its construction is expected to start this week.
According to an exclusive report by local media stonisi, the location chosen for the center is Diavolorema – Devil’s river – and thus inside the large fire zone in a thick forest.
Diavolorema is located 2.5 km from the road Mytilene-Kalloni, in the dense forest on central Lesvos. and close to the landfill.
The location was announced by Deputy Minister of National Defense, Alkibiades Stephanis, in charge of migration, in a meeting with local authorities and regional officials on November 30. all officials went to visit the site.
Worth noting that the mayor of Mytilene is among the five Aegean mayors opposing the government plans for closed structures on the islands.
Video: Diavolorema and fire zone – Where exactly will they built the center???
The center construction has already be assigned to a large construction company in Athens,” stonisi notes adding that the center is expected to be ready in June 2020.
On the neighboring island of Chios, the closed center will be built in the middle of nowhere, in public land, 15 km away from the national road Chios-Volissos.
According to local media politischios.gr, the area is particularly unwelcoming weather-wise with temperatures 7-10 degrees Celsius lower than in the capital of Chios, and exposed to strong north winds.
PS So far, the Greek government has not dismissed the report of stonisi. It is the first time I hear that constructions are allowed in fire-zones and in a forest area, especially after the legislation of the last years. These Greek governments never stop to surprise us!
