The flames destroy more than 55 square kilometers before emergency services in Cyprus bring the fire under control. A man is suspected of having unintentionally caused the forest fire.
Nicosia – At least four people were killed in a major forest fire in Cyprus over the weekend. The fire brigade has now largely brought the flames under control, said Cypriot President Nikos Anastasiades on Sunday afternoon during a visit to the operation center in the village of Skarinou.
More than 55 square kilometers of forest, bush and agricultural land have been destroyed. It is the worst disaster on the island in decades, said Anastasiades.
The four people who were killed are said to be farm workers from Egypt. According to Cypriot media reports, people tried to escape the flames in their cars, but ultimately found no way out.
Persistent drought
Meanwhile, a 67-year-old man suspected of causing the fire was arrested. According to media reports, he is said to have burned garden waste.
The fire broke out in the northeast of the port city of Limassol after prolonged drought and intense heat for several days. Several villages in the area had to be evacuated on Saturday evening. Eleven fire fighting planes of the fire brigade as well as hundreds of firefighters and helpers are in action, Israel, Greece and Italy also sent fire fighting planes. The fire broke out in a forested region of the Troodos Mountains. dpa
