A neglected burial ground for migrants on Greek island of Lesbos has been given a drastic overhaul

LESBOS – Most drowned making the hazardous sea crossing from within sight Turkey, whilst others died of herbal reasons in migrant camps on the Greek island of Lesbos.

After years of forget, a makeshift burial ground for migrants on the island has been wiped clean up and landscaped to supply a dignified resting position for the lifeless, and for their relations to discuss with.

Earth Medicine, the Lesbos-based charity that treated the undertaking close to the village of Kato Tritos, officially passed over the redesigned cemetery to municipal officers on Wednesday.

“We wanted it to be clear that this was a burial ground, (mostly) for people who died at sea — some of whom have been identified while others have not,” Earth Medicine spokesman Dimitris Patounis mentioned. “It used to be just a field.”

For years, Lesbos has been a primary vacation spot for other people searching for a higher lifestyles within the European Union. They depart Turkish shores stuffed into small, unseaworthy vessels supplied through smuggling gangs. About 3,800 other people have made the adventure up to now this yr.

Before the intervention, the weed-choked graves have been marked through a easy stone with a quantity written on it through marker, or, within the uncommon circumstances when it was once to be had, a title. Currently, about 200 neat, uniform grey slabs full of white gravel duvet every grave, obviously checklist no matter is understood of the occupant.

“Now people will be able to visit when their (dead) relatives are identified,” Patounis mentioned.

Officials pressure that the burial ground is nondenominational, with contemporary inhumation products and services performed through an Imam, a Greek Orthodox or a Catholic priest, in keeping with the deceased’s identified ideals.

“This was done with human dignity in mind, without any religious affiliation,” Patounis mentioned.

The cemetery lies about a kilometer (½ mile) out of doors Kato Tritos in central Lesbos, round 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the island capital of Mytilini. Other migrants have been buried previously in municipal cemeteries in different portions of the island, however that is the one burial ground particularly for migrants.

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