The UN refugee agency UNHCR expressed deep concern on Tuesday after 25 Palestinians were injured when a big fire swept through a refugee camp in Iraq at the weekend.
The fire devastated the Al Tanf camp, located in the no-man's land bordering Syria, on Saturday, destroying 53 tents housing 11 families, UNHCR spokeswoman Jennifer Pagonis told reporters in Geneva.
"This is the third time in less than a year that the camp has suffered serious fires and yet again highlights the need for a humanitarian solution to be found for Palestinians trapped at the border after fleeing Baghdad," Pagonis said.
The spokeswoman said the 25 Palestinian refugees were injured while attempting to put out the fire - three suffered first degree burns, five traumatic wounds and 17 had serious breathing problems.
The fire was caused by an unattended fuel stove and spread rapidly through the site, destroying tents, personal documents and possessions of the Palestinians.
The fire added to an increasing atmosphere of despair and desperation at the camp, the UNHCR said.
Al Tanf Camp hosts a total 310 Palestinian refugees who fled sectarian violence in Iraq and have been stranded in the border area since May 2006 after they were denied entry into neighboring countries. The majority of the refugees are women and children.
Source: Xinhua
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