A recent wildfire in southern Cyprus has claimed the lives of two individuals found in a car amidst escalating temperatures expected to reach 44C. Initial reports suggest the victims were an elderly couple, with one body believed to be that of a 77-year-old woman who was missing. The raging fire has already devastated homes and charred an extensive area of land, prompting a substantial emergency response.
Two Die in Cyprus Wildfire Amid Extreme Heat Warning
Two Die in Cyprus Wildfire Amid Extreme Heat Warning
Tragic incident occurs as forest fires rage across southern Cyprus with temperatures soaring to 44C.
The blazing wildfire ignited in the village of Malia, located in the Limassol district, on Wednesday afternoon. Cypriot police confirmed that the charred bodies were discovered in a burnt-out vehicle as more than a dozen others received treatment for fire-related injuries. Over 250 firefighters have been mobilized to combat the flames, which have been exacerbated by strong winds and unyieldingly high temperatures.
Cyprus' Department of Meteorology has issued an extreme heat warning, forecasting the temperature to touch 44C, especially in inland regions. While officials state there are currently "no active fronts" in the fire, flare-ups in several hotspots continue to pose a threat. Areas affected by the fire experience outages, leaving many without electricity or air conditioning.
Antonis Christou, a resident of Kandou, expressed his distress over the catastrophic event, stating, "When I entered my house, I saw the mountain and the valley full of flames. I cried, really I cried, because people got burnt." In a collaborative effort, Cyprus has reached out to neighboring countries for firefighting assistance, with Spain expected to provide aircraft to combat the blaze.
The situation has led to substantial fears, as testimonies suggest that the fire might have been deliberately ignited. This devastating incident is part of a wider pattern of soaring summer temperatures across Europe, with wildfires also occurring in locations such as Greece, Turkey, and Spain. Cyprus, frequently impacted by drought conditions, faces similar wildfire threats each summer, a tragic trend mirrored by past incidents including the 2021 wildfire that resulted in four fatalities among Egyptian farm workers.
Cyprus' Department of Meteorology has issued an extreme heat warning, forecasting the temperature to touch 44C, especially in inland regions. While officials state there are currently "no active fronts" in the fire, flare-ups in several hotspots continue to pose a threat. Areas affected by the fire experience outages, leaving many without electricity or air conditioning.
Antonis Christou, a resident of Kandou, expressed his distress over the catastrophic event, stating, "When I entered my house, I saw the mountain and the valley full of flames. I cried, really I cried, because people got burnt." In a collaborative effort, Cyprus has reached out to neighboring countries for firefighting assistance, with Spain expected to provide aircraft to combat the blaze.
The situation has led to substantial fears, as testimonies suggest that the fire might have been deliberately ignited. This devastating incident is part of a wider pattern of soaring summer temperatures across Europe, with wildfires also occurring in locations such as Greece, Turkey, and Spain. Cyprus, frequently impacted by drought conditions, faces similar wildfire threats each summer, a tragic trend mirrored by past incidents including the 2021 wildfire that resulted in four fatalities among Egyptian farm workers.
