© Copyright ANSA The refugee camp in Souda on the Greek island of Chios turned into a battleground in the early hours of Thursday as Algerian and Afghan groups of migrants clashed with each other.
Using stones, pieces of wood and metal crow bars, a group of approximately 40 migrants from both countries fought each other in and around the camp, labeled by local media outlets as "a cauldron ready to boil over." According to local Chios news outlet "Politis," the incident began after a group of around 20 Afghans entered the camp shortly after midnight and began to pick fights with Algerians staying there. Ugly scuffles broke out inside and in the camp's surrounding area. Things only calmed down when riot police were called in and arrested three people. Although there were no serious injuries, a woman and a child were taken to the nearby "Skylitseio" Chios hospital for first aid. Fighting is becoming a daily occurrence at the Souda site, especially between Afghans and Algerians, with authorities struggling to control skirmishes between migrants of different nationalities. Fearing further outbreaks of violence, authorities have suspended all transfers of migrants to and from the island's refugee reception facilities for 24 hours. Meanwhile, also in the early hours of Thursday morning, a boat in trouble carrying 21 refugees coming from Turkey was rescued by a coast guard vessel in the Panagia Oinousses area just off the coast of Chios. A total of 21 people, including 15 men, five women and one child, were on the small craft. All of them were taken to the port where they were provided blankets, food and water by volunteers.
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