Two individuals have tragically lost their lives in a vehicle consumed by flames during a fierce wildfire in southern Cyprus. The incident occurred amidst an extreme heatwave as temperatures are set to spike to 44C on Thursday. Law enforcement officials confirmed the discovery of two charred bodies in a burnt car near Malia, Limassol district, after the fire erupted on Wednesday afternoon. While the identities of the deceased remain unconfirmed, local media sources suggest they may belong to a 77-year-old woman, previously reported missing, and her partner from the local area.
In addition to the fatalities, over a dozen people have required medical treatment for injuries caused by the devastating fire, which has ravaged homes and affected an estimated 100 square kilometers of land. More than 250 firefighters have been actively engaged in combating the blaze, with the hot, dry winds exacerbating fire conditions.
In anticipation of soaring temperatures on Thursday, Cyprus's Department of Meteorology issued an extreme heat alert, predicting a maximum of 44C in many inland regions. Cyprus Fire Service representative Andreas Kettis reported that the wildfire has no "active fronts," but isolated flare-ups continue to threaten the region.
Affected residents, such as Antonis Christou from Kandou, shared harrowing accounts of their experiences as the flames encroached on their homes, expressing devastation over the loss of life. In response to the escalating crisis, the Cypriot government has sought assistance from neighboring countries through the European Union's civil protection mechanism, with Spain pledging to send two firefighting aircraft.
With suspicions regarding the fire's origin circulating, authorities have begun investigating reports that it may have been deliberately started. Desperate efforts to control the situation are ongoing, as this summer has seen widespread heatwaves across Europe, resulting in similar calamities in places like Greece, Turkey, and Spain. Cyprus routinely faces wildfires during its dry summer months, with a tragic precedent set in 2021, where four individuals lost their lives in devastating fires in Limassol.
In addition to the fatalities, over a dozen people have required medical treatment for injuries caused by the devastating fire, which has ravaged homes and affected an estimated 100 square kilometers of land. More than 250 firefighters have been actively engaged in combating the blaze, with the hot, dry winds exacerbating fire conditions.
In anticipation of soaring temperatures on Thursday, Cyprus's Department of Meteorology issued an extreme heat alert, predicting a maximum of 44C in many inland regions. Cyprus Fire Service representative Andreas Kettis reported that the wildfire has no "active fronts," but isolated flare-ups continue to threaten the region.
Affected residents, such as Antonis Christou from Kandou, shared harrowing accounts of their experiences as the flames encroached on their homes, expressing devastation over the loss of life. In response to the escalating crisis, the Cypriot government has sought assistance from neighboring countries through the European Union's civil protection mechanism, with Spain pledging to send two firefighting aircraft.
With suspicions regarding the fire's origin circulating, authorities have begun investigating reports that it may have been deliberately started. Desperate efforts to control the situation are ongoing, as this summer has seen widespread heatwaves across Europe, resulting in similar calamities in places like Greece, Turkey, and Spain. Cyprus routinely faces wildfires during its dry summer months, with a tragic precedent set in 2021, where four individuals lost their lives in devastating fires in Limassol.
