About 2000 asylum seekers have set Bulgaria’s largest refugee camp on fire and clashed with police after the camp was sealed off over reports of a disease outbreak.
Police fired water cannon and rubber bullets against the rioters. Around 300 migrants were arrested.
We used a water cannon, blanks and rubber bullets as well as physical force,” Interior Ministry Chief Secretary Georgi Kostovtold media.
Law enforcement officers and riot police have been deployed to the camp. Refugees threw rock and other objects at police, leaving several police injured.
The rioters also burnt car tires, mattresses and furniture. Many structures including a canteen and a new building was damaged
Belgian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said that two dozen police officers and two refugees had been injured during the clashes.
The riot reportedly break out after the authorities sealed off the camp and prevent people from leaving the campsite due to reports of skin disease outbreaks among some of the recidents, RT.com reported.
The largest refugee camp, located in the town of Harmanli, in Bulgaria houses 3000 people, mostly from Afghanistan.
