FOGGIA - A 26-year-old man of Gambian descent who was denied asylum has died after a fire broke out in a refugee camp in Apulia where he sought refuge.

 The victim, who was forced to leave an asylum centre after his application was rejected, had recently moved to the Borgo Mezzanone refugee camp, a few kilometres outside Foggia, where he sold clothes.

 A fire broke out in the early hours of Friday and the victim’s house, built primarily of sheet metal and wood, was almost completely destroyed.

 It is still unclear whether the man died of asphyxiation during his sleep or for other reasons.  

 Deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini said of the matter: “It is a tragedy that confirms that these illegal settlements are problematic.”

 “We have a duty to ensure a return to safety, order and legality and continue with our inspections and evictions.”

 The coalition government have taken a tough stance on illegal settlements since it came to power last year.

 Over 1,500 people were evicted from a refugee camp in San Ferdinando in March as bulldozers and close to 1,000 paramilitary police officers descended on the settlement.

 Further migrant camps have also demolished in Basilicata, Sicily, Apuglia over the past years, and Salvini continues to lead an offensive against similar settlements across the nation.