The Moria campfire occurred in September 2020, devastating Europe’s largest refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos. Moria camp, initially built to house around 3,000 people, had swelled to nearly 13,000 residents, living in overcrowded and unsafe conditions. Fires broke out following tensions related to COVID-19 lockdowns and quarantine measures, quickly spreading through the makeshift shelters and leaving thousands without food, water, or shelter.

The blaze destroyed nearly the entire camp, leaving refugees and asylum seekers stranded and escalating the ongoing humanitarian crisis. The Moria fire highlighted the severe overcrowding and poor conditions in Europe’s refugee camps and raised urgent calls for more effective refugee policies and better support for displaced people.