More than 1.000 migrant farm workers, mostly from Bangladesh, have been left homeless and facing total devastation in Nea Manolada, Ilia, after a fire broke out yesterday afternoon in the shantytown where they lived. The blaze started shortly before noon for unknown reasons, at a time when the majority of workers were out in the fields. Thick black smoke from the burning plastic huts and other flammable materials was visible from far away, and there was significant danger due to exploding gas canisters used by the workers for cooking.
Scenes from the shantytown a few hours after the fire was extinguished. Credit Pamehellas
Many of the migrant workers, upon seeing the smoke from nearby fields, rushed back to the settlement to try and save whatever they could. However, the destruction is total. Fortunately, no lives were lost in the fire, but today these workers are left without shelter, money, residence permits, passports, and other essential documents, and even their mobile phones. According to testimonies from residents of the camp, it is estimated that around 50 huts and 12 rooms were destroyed in the fire, leaving approximately 1.050 migrant farm workers without a place to stay.
Scenes from the shantytown a few hours after the fire was extinguished.Credit Pamehellas
Many, with tears in their eyes, could not believe what had happened. The fire consumed their few belongings—clothes, shoes, bedding, even food and water—leaving them in immediate need of basic necessities. "We don't even have water to drink, and we can't buy any! We have nowhere to sleep, nowhere to stay!" said some of the fire victims.
Faced with total destruction, they issued an urgent appeal for help from the Greek government, their home countries, and any relevant authority that could offer assistance. However, according to reports from local labor unions and the regional food industry workers' union, there has been no provision for emergency shelter, or even basic food and water supplies, leaving the homeless migrants to fend for themselves. As a result, many spent the entire night outside.
Scenes from the shantytown a few hours after the fire was extinguished.Credit Pamehellas
As fruit and vegetable growers in the area stated the day after the fire—an area known for its strawberries, watermelons, potatoes, and various vegetables—this disaster has not affected work on any crop or in any business, since the workers who lived in this camp were employed across many different companies. However, up to this point, these people remain homeless.