The island’s mayor pleaded with the refugees to evacuate the port for their own safety.

Several times, members of the crowd tried to jump the barriers in the port to get to the refugees but were stopped by Greek riot police and members of the Greek army.

"I’m asking you, think about your lives!" Emmanouil Vournous, the mayor, pleaded with the crowd of refugees. They initially refused to leave as they were hoping to board a ferry to Athens.

Women and children were left screaming in the chaos – one woman wailed: "Bomba! Bomba!" and pointed at the sky after fireworks were detonated nearby.