Migrants burn Greek camp after refugee deaths

Angry migrants set fire to a camp on the Greek island of Lesbos on Thursday after a woman and her child died following a gas cylinder explosion, local police said.

Three children in the same tent were critically injured, police said, adding that the explosion occurred while the woman was cooking.

In an apparent act of rage, migrants then set fire to the Moria camp, causing significant damage, police said.

Firefighters arrived at the scene to try to put out the flames.

Several fires have erupted in refugee camps on the Greek islands, where about 16,000 people have been stranded since the European Union signed a deal aimed at stemming the influx of migrants.

Moria has a capacity for 3,500 people, but currently houses more than 5,000.

Part of the camp was badly damaged in a fire on 19 September during clashes between migrants and police, and thousands had to be moved out before returning two days later.

The fire began after a peaceful protest by Syrians, Iraqis and African migrants and refugees got out of hand and quickly descended into inter-ethnic violence.

The situation in the camp, which aid groups have condemned as unsafe and overcrowded, has been deteriorating since the EU/Turkey deal prevented refugees who arrive on the Greek islands after 20 March from leaving.

Nearly 66,000 refugees and migrants are currently stranded in Greece, according to official figures.