The wildfire ignited in Malia, Limassol, consuming vast areas and leading to numerous injuries, while firefighters tackle flare-ups. The country seeks international aid as Europe experiences alarming heatwaves.
The article text:
Two people have died in a car during a wildfire that has erupted in southern Cyprus, as record-breaking temperatures are anticipated to reach 44C on Thursday. Cypriot police have reported the discovery of two charred bodies in a vehicle, which belonged to a 77-year-old woman who has been reported missing. The victims are believed to be an elderly couple from the area.
In a direct aftermath of the blaze, which originated in the village of Malia on Wednesday afternoon, more than a dozen individuals have sought medical assistance for fire-related injuries. The devastation has already razed homes and scorched 100 square kilometers of land, as 250 firefighters are deployed to combat the relentless fire, fueled by strong winds and high temperatures.
The country's Department of Meteorology has issued an extreme heat alert for Thursday, predicting a maximum temperature rise of 44C in inland areas. Cyprus Fire Service spokesperson Andreas Kettis has confirmed that while there are "no active fronts" in the fire, flare-ups continue to pose challenges for the firefighting teams.
Antonis Christou, a resident from the affected village of Kandou, spoke about the harrowing experience saying, "When I entered my house, I saw the mountain and the valley full of flames. I cried, really I cried, because people got burnt."
The Cypriot government has requested assistance from neighboring countries to bolster the firefighting efforts, utilizing the European Union's civil protection mechanism. Spain is set to provide two aircraft on Thursday, and additional support is anticipated from Jordan.
Witness statements suggesting the fire may have been intentionally set have been forwarded to police, as Cyprus battles drought conditions that typically heighten wildfire risks during the summer months. In 2021, a previous wildfire tragically claimed the lives of four Egyptian farm workers in Limassol. As wildfires rage across Europe, from Greece to Turkey and Spain, the climate crisis intensifies the urgency for effective disaster management.
The article text:
Two people have died in a car during a wildfire that has erupted in southern Cyprus, as record-breaking temperatures are anticipated to reach 44C on Thursday. Cypriot police have reported the discovery of two charred bodies in a vehicle, which belonged to a 77-year-old woman who has been reported missing. The victims are believed to be an elderly couple from the area.
In a direct aftermath of the blaze, which originated in the village of Malia on Wednesday afternoon, more than a dozen individuals have sought medical assistance for fire-related injuries. The devastation has already razed homes and scorched 100 square kilometers of land, as 250 firefighters are deployed to combat the relentless fire, fueled by strong winds and high temperatures.
The country's Department of Meteorology has issued an extreme heat alert for Thursday, predicting a maximum temperature rise of 44C in inland areas. Cyprus Fire Service spokesperson Andreas Kettis has confirmed that while there are "no active fronts" in the fire, flare-ups continue to pose challenges for the firefighting teams.
Antonis Christou, a resident from the affected village of Kandou, spoke about the harrowing experience saying, "When I entered my house, I saw the mountain and the valley full of flames. I cried, really I cried, because people got burnt."
The Cypriot government has requested assistance from neighboring countries to bolster the firefighting efforts, utilizing the European Union's civil protection mechanism. Spain is set to provide two aircraft on Thursday, and additional support is anticipated from Jordan.
Witness statements suggesting the fire may have been intentionally set have been forwarded to police, as Cyprus battles drought conditions that typically heighten wildfire risks during the summer months. In 2021, a previous wildfire tragically claimed the lives of four Egyptian farm workers in Limassol. As wildfires rage across Europe, from Greece to Turkey and Spain, the climate crisis intensifies the urgency for effective disaster management.
