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Arsonists may have been behind a fire that destroyed Ukrainian refugee shelters on Germany’s Baltic coast, a German government official said.
Mecklenburg-Pomerania Governor Manuela Schwesig has warned that violence of any kind against people fleeing the war will not be tolerated.
Fourteen residents and three employees who lived at the shelter were rescued from the blaze that burned down a former hotel in the Northeast state on Wednesday night, local police said.
No one was injured and the refugees were taken to other shelters, according to authorities.
“Everyone must be clear about one thing: People fleeing war need our protection and support. We do not tolerate incitement and violence,” Ms Schweissig said.
Police investigating the cause of the fire are investigating possible arson, German news agency dpa reported.
On Monday, police received a report of graffiti depicting the Nazi swastika at the entrance to the shelter. Police said it was unclear if the graffiti was related to the fire.
Since Russia invaded their country nearly eight months ago, more than a million refugees from Ukraine, mostly women and children, have travelled to Germany for protection.
The refugees were initially warmly welcomed, with many German families opening their homes to shelter them.
However, a few expressed hostility towards them and other foreigners arriving in the country.
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