Rumors of new camps dismissed, as islanders demand 'immediate' action

As simmering tensions threaten to boil over on the islands of the eastern and northern Aegean due to the prolonged stay of a growing number of refugees, Migration Policy Minister Yiannis Mouzalas dismissed rumors on Friday that three more so-called hot spots will be created on the island of Chios.

Instead, Mouzalas told Parliament, just one new accommodation center will be set up on the island, to ease the burden on existing centers and replace others that will shut down. He added that 3.7 million euros has been set aside for the project.

With existing camps stretched well beyond capacity, island residents and authorities, particularly on Chios and Lesvos, have repeatedly stressed the need for decongestion measures.

"The limits of islands in the northern Aegean to host migrants and refugees have been completely exhausted," Christiana Kalogirou, who is the regional...