Clashes have broken out overnight on the Greek islands of Lesbos and Chios, where residents tried to prevent the arrival of riot police and excavating machines to be used to build migrant detention camps.
Police fired tear gas to disperse the crowds that gathered early Tuesday to try and prevent the ships from docking.
Click to Gallery
Clashes have broken out overnight on the Greek islands of Lesbos and Chios, where residents tried to prevent the arrival of riot police and excavating machines to be used to build migrant detention camps.
Many island residents and the local authorities vehemently oppose the plan, arguing that the migrants and asylum seekers should be moved to the Greek mainland.
A police water cannon and other police vehicles arrive at the port of Mytilene on the northeastern Aegean island of Lesbos, Greece, early Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. Protest groups on three eastern Greek islands have begun setting up blockades aimed at stopping the government from building new migrant detention centers. (AP PhotoMichael Varaklas)
Riot police throw teat gas at local residents during clashes at the port of Mytilene on the northeastern Aegean island of Lesbos, Greece, early Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. A ferry with dozens of riot policemen try to approach the island of Lesbos as protest groups on three eastern Greek islands have begun setting up blockades aimed at stopping the government from building new migrant detention centers. (AP PhotoMichael Varaklas)
A ferry with dozens of riot policemen arrive as their colleagues guard at the port of Mytilene on the northeastern Aegean island of Lesbos, Greece, early Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. Protest groups on three eastern Greek islands have begun setting up blockades aimed at stopping the government from building new migrant detention centers. (AP PhotoMichael Varaklas)
Dozens of riot policemen disembark from a ferry at the port of Mytilene on the northeastern Aegean island of Lesbos, Greece, early Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. Protest groups on three eastern Greek islands have begun setting up blockades aimed at stopping the government from building new migrant detention centers. (AP PhotoMichael Varaklas)
The government says it will move ahead with plans to build the new facilities on appropriated land and has promised to replace existing camps where conditions of severe overcrowding have worsened in recent months.
Riot police throw teat gas at local residents during clashes at the port of Mytilene on the northeastern Aegean island of Lesbos, Greece, early Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. A ferry with dozens of riot policemen try to approach the island of Lesbos as protest groups on three eastern Greek islands have begun setting up blockades aimed at stopping the government from building new migrant detention centers. (AP PhotoMichael Varaklas)
Many island residents and the local authorities vehemently oppose the plan, arguing that the migrants and asylum seekers should be moved to the Greek mainland.
Riot police throw teat gas at local residents during clashes at the port of Mytilene on the northeastern Aegean island of Lesbos, Greece, early Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. A ferry with dozens of riot policemen try to approach the island of Lesbos as protest groups on three eastern Greek islands have begun setting up blockades aimed at stopping the government from building new migrant detention centers. (AP PhotoMichael Varaklas)
A police water cannon and other police vehicles arrive at the port of Mytilene on the northeastern Aegean island of Lesbos, Greece, early Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. Protest groups on three eastern Greek islands have begun setting up blockades aimed at stopping the government from building new migrant detention centers. (AP PhotoMichael Varaklas)
Riot police throw teat gas at local residents during clashes at the port of Mytilene on the northeastern Aegean island of Lesbos, Greece, early Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. A ferry with dozens of riot policemen try to approach the island of Lesbos as protest groups on three eastern Greek islands have begun setting up blockades aimed at stopping the government from building new migrant detention centers. (AP PhotoMichael Varaklas)
A ferry with dozens of riot policemen arrive as their colleagues guard at the port of Mytilene on the northeastern Aegean island of Lesbos, Greece, early Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. Protest groups on three eastern Greek islands have begun setting up blockades aimed at stopping the government from building new migrant detention centers. (AP PhotoMichael Varaklas)
Dozens of riot policemen disembark from a ferry at the port of Mytilene on the northeastern Aegean island of Lesbos, Greece, early Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. Protest groups on three eastern Greek islands have begun setting up blockades aimed at stopping the government from building new migrant detention centers. (AP PhotoMichael Varaklas)