Refugee sets himself ablaze on Greek island of Chios

A Syrian refugee on Thursday set himself on fire on the Greek island of Chios, apparently in despair over conditions at the Vial refugee camp, a news agency reported.

The report stated that the man was taken to the local hospital with severe burns.

It added that “a police officer, who sustained burns on his hands while rescuing the man, also required medical treatment.”

More than 3,500 refugees and migrants on Chios were desperate after spending months in the islands’ overcrowded reception camps, waiting for their asylum applications to be processed.

Tensions led to repeated clashes between groups of refugees, as well as trouble with residents and the police.

Refugees arrived on the Greek islands almost daily.