A large number of ground and aerial firefighting equipment have been mobilized to bring under control a large fire that broke out east of the Cypriot community of Yolou in the Paphos district.

According to the Fire Department’s Spokesman Andreas Ketti, the National Torch Plan was activated while the Fire Chief is at the scene.

The President of the Republic of Cyprus is at the Search and Rescue Coordination Center Nikos Christodoulidis, who is informed about the progress of the fire.

The fire broke out in dry grass, low wild vegetation and trees.

Houses have been burned by the fire, while scattered individual cottages are at risk.

The communities of Psathi, Houlou, Lemonas and Kourdakas were evacuated as a precaution.

A large number of firefighting vehicles, the two Jordanian helicopters, a police helicopter and a forest department helicopter are involved in the efforts to bring the fire under control.

“The fire is out of control”

Statements were made by the Fire Department’s Spokesman Andreas Kettis who stated that the fire continues to be relatively uncontrolled and that there are still serious active fronts”

Among other things, he said that the winds had stopped and that ground forces would be working throughout the night.

Asked if there were any indications of foul play, he said there was information that would be assessed once the fire was out.

“We are at God’s mercy”

Outraged local residents spoke on state television accusing the state of inadequacy.

“Unfortunately, we are faced with the inadequacy of the state once again,” said Patroklos Evangelou, a resident of the village.

“We see across the street that there are huge photovoltaic parks which they took care to protect and let the fire enter people’s homes. House that my brother built with his own two hands with a thousand labors, and they left it to the mercy of God. I saw hero firefighters fighting with their hands, water being taken from them and waiting half an hour for the next one to come. I don’t know where the state really is, we live in 2024. From 4 kilometers the fire comes and burns a village and there is nothing to stop it.”

“With two Canadairs we are helping Cyprus for the devastating fires in Paphos”

Our country is sending two Canadair CL-415 aircraft to Cyprus, in response to the relevant request of the Cypriot authorities through the European Civil Protection Mechanism, in order to help extinguish fires affecting the wider Pafos area. As stated in a statement by the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, “from the first moment of the activation of the request, by order of the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Vassilis Kikilia, Greece made the two aircraft available to the Mechanism”.