For the second day, Cyprus is battling the most catastrophic fire in its history. Four dead, a 35-kilometer fire front, burnt forests, dozens of houses and properties are the damage from it so far, said Branislava Bobanac, correspondent of BNR in Cyprus.
Extinguishing the fire continues with all possible forces of the country and with international technical assistance.
The battle against the fire, which broke out on Saturday at around 2 pm in the Limassol region, and on the night it spread to a part of the neighboring Larnaca region, has been going on on five active fronts since this morning.
The government and experts assess the fire as an “unprecedented” tragedy and the most devastating since the founding of Cyprus, both in terms of material damage and casualties.
Four Egyptian workers on a local farm have died in a fire trap, it was confirmed this morning after they have been missing since yesterday.
After an extremely difficult night, the morning hours today are considered critical for controlling the fire due to the increasing wind.
More than 70 fire engines, 7 chain machines, 10 tanks and 11 planes are in battle with the flames.
Air equipment from Greece is already on the front line, two planes and fire brigades from Israel arrived at noon, and help is also expected from Italy.
The European Disaster Relief and Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated.
The 67-year-old man arrested late last night for arson of stubble, from which the fire may have started, was today before the court in Limassol, which ordered his detention for 8 days.
Businesses and volunteers organize the supply of food and water to firefighters and disaster victims.
Government assistance to those affected will be immediate, said President Nikos Anastasiadis, who is in the disaster area.
“This is a tragedy, we have not encountered anything worse since the invasion,” the head of state said, referring to the Turkish invasion in 1974, which divided the island into two parts, quoted by the Cyprus Mail and BTA.
“This is one of the most destructive fires and all services responded immediately to avoid loss of life,” Anastasiadis said, thanking all those involved in the fight.
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