MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The riot broke out on Thursday, when dozens of migrants were trying to leave the Harmanli center, but were met by police and firefighters who used water cannons against them. About two thousand refugees then took part in a protest.
At least four police officers were injured in clashes with the migrants, who reportedly threw stones at police.
Earlier this week, the Bulgarian authorities decided to enforce a quarantine at Harmanli due to a threat that migrants may be the carriers of infectious diseases and may provoke their spread. However, after medical checks, the doctors reported that there was no danger of an outbreak of serious infectious diseases.
According to Socialist Party leader Kornelia Ninova, there have already been complaints about the Harmanli center’s various problems, including poor medical treatment, however no measures have been taken to improve the situation.