Migrants not able to find room in Athens camps

Athens is struggling to cope with the influx of migrants who are unable to leave Greece as the two camps which can house them are full, according to authorities.

Victoria Square near the city center is again becoming a congregation point and informal camp for migrants who have been unable to find space at the facilities in Votanikos and Elliniko.

According to authorities, there are already some 500 migrants at the former field hockey stadium in Elliniko and there is a reluctance to let more in, especially if they are young men traveling on their own. Local mayors have allowed the stadium to be used under the proviso that the migrants will be moved out by March 31.

“I see that I was right not to raise my expectations based on the government’s comments last week regarding the use of army camps to host refugees because, once again, nothing has happened,” said Athens Mayor Giorgos Kaminis.

Some 4,000 refugees and migrants reached Piraeus on Monday from the islands of Chios and Lesvos.