At night, Greek islanders attacked police officers guarding future prison camp sites in Lesbos and Chios. Later, a large crowd besieged Lesbos military camp for several hours, where riot control units were stationed.
Residents of the Greek islands went on 24-hour strike on the second day of Thursday, intensifying protests against the government’s plans to build new migrant camps on the five islands after violent clashes with police.
Greece’s East Aegean Islands served as the gateway to the European Union for more than one million people who fled the war in 2015-2016. Despite the sharp decline in arrivals since then, the five islands are still struggling with overcrowded migrant centres and require their relocation to the mainland.
Hundreds of locals attacked police officers guarding future camps in Lesbos and Chios on Wednesday. A large crowd later besieged a military camp in Lesbos for several hours, where riot control teams were stationed.
Dozens of police officers were injured in the riots, and a Greek government spokesman said that many of the special forces deployed on the islands this week would be withdrawn.
Government migration officials have promised to advance plans to replace overcrowded and impoverished migrant camps with stricter detention centres. But local officials and residents are opposed to these plans, with many demanding that no migrants remain on the islands.
Greek authorities stated that 43 policemen were injured in Lesbos, which sees the majority of those arriving as migrants cross the sea from neighbouring Turkey.
Two were injured in the legs by gunshot wounds, officials said.
Another nine officers were injured in Chios, where an angry crowd broke into a hotel used by OMON police, beat up officers resting in their rooms and threw their belongings away.
One person was arrested on suspicion of involvement in the attack and another was wanted.