ANALYSIS: "Will exacerbate an already toxic polarization"

Even before the fire broke out among the crowded refugee tents, toxic speculation began.

"The fire is an asymmetric act of war organized by Turkey," someone wrote on twitter.

Many other like-minded commentators on social media were quick to claim that the fire was started by the migrants with the intention of creating chaos in Greek society.

Cross-cutting statements claim that the fire started in several places at the same time and that the Turkish media were unusually quick to report on the matter, thus the conspiracy would be brought to evidence.

From comments from the left wing, many people instead welcome the fire and say that the whole thing is a favor, due to the awful conditions in the camp.

"As if that were not enough: ongoing corona infection"

Exactly what caused the fire, we currently know nothing about.

But one thing is for sure.

The event will exacerbate an already toxic polarization in the refugee issue in Greece and perhaps further in Europe.

As if it were not bad enough that thousands of people in an already vulnerable position now have to go through the trauma of losing the simple tent they called their home, there is also ongoing corona infection among the migrants.

Last week, the first cases were found in the camp and so far, 35 people have tested positive for covid-19.

It raises the already infected situation to a whole new level of fear among locals on Lesbos, which in the worst case scenario can result in tangible hostility towards migrants.

When the biggest wave of refugees reached the Greek island world in 2015, I was on Lesbos.

Many islanders then worked voluntarily to manage the refugee reception.

I especially remember a woman who ran a tavern and cooked stuffed peppers in the kitchen while she on the phone arranged buses for the migrants who had just arrived at a nearby beach in overcrowded rubber boats.

But even then, there were also sections of the local population who took a restrictive stance and said that the situation was unsustainable for the small island.

Since then, the climate has hardened on Lesbos and in Greece, just as in many other parts of Europe.

"Intimidated with threatening violence"

Earlier this year, a group of masked men with sticks in their hands appeared to intimidate migrants who arrived in Lesbos.

Journalists who have covered the refugee issue on the island have been intimidated by threats of violence.

Greek Prime Minister Mitsotaki's government has been accused of violating the right to asylum and risking the lives of people with the new line of increasingly harsh measures against those trying to get to Greece.

At the same time, Turkey has tried to use the refugee issue to its advantage in the negotiating game with Europe, most recently in the controversial proposal to open the land border with Greece in March.

The fire in the Morial camp is a tragedy first and foremost for the affected migrants.

But it is also quite possible that it will leave deep scars in the migration debate in Greece and perhaps even further divisions in the serious conflict between Greece and Turkey.