Evacuation of refugees from Ellinikon airport underway (photos-video)

Nearly 700 refugees and migrants staying at old airport

Greek authorities have started transferring hundreds of refugees and migrants from the old airport of Ellinikon Friday morning. The old airport had been transformed into an impromptu refugee camp hosting between 400 and 500 people. Early Friday police presence was heavy in and around the area, with around 100 officers overseeing the tens of refugees and migrants being escorted onto buses destined for the organised hosting facilities in Thebes. According to police officials the planning of the evacuation had taken place 10 days ago and some people were willingly departing the airport. The 500 refugees and migrants will be taken to the organised refugee camps in Thebes, Derveni and Oinofyta, while a police source said says that only 10% of the refugees and migrants were cooperating in the evacuation. The same source added that for those unwilling to comply authorities would try to persuade them through negotiations.

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