SOUNI: A massive wildfire killed two people as it ripped through forests outside Cyprus’s second city of Limassol, fanned by strong winds and temperatures forecast to reach 44C, authorities said on Thursday.
Police said two charred bodies were found in a burnt out car believed to have been caught up in the blaze that erupted on Wednesday afternoon.
“We express the deep sorrow of the state over the unjust loss of two of our fellow citizens during the devastating wildfires,” said government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis.
He said that the cause of the blaze was “still under investigation”, but high “temperatures, strong winds and drought... made the situation even more difficult”.
Announcing relief measures for the affected communities, Letymbiotis earlier said that “what is unfolding in our country... is unprecedented” with “multiple simultaneous wildfire outbreaks”.
Health authorities said two people were admitted to hospital with severe burns while another 16 were treated for less serious injuries.
Fire service spokesperson Andreas Kettis said the blaze, which started in the village of Malia in the hills above Limassol, ravaged 100 square kilometres.
He said there were “no active fronts” in the fire but intense “flare-ups” continued in the area.
Authorities issued an extreme heat alert for the Mediterranean island as temperatures were expected to peak at 44C.
More than 250 firefighters and 75 vehicles were deployed to battle the blaze.
The government has asked neighbouring countries to send aircraft to support the firefighting effort.
Letymbiotis said firefighting aircraft had arrived from Jordan, with more expected from Egypt, Israel and Spain “as soon as possible”, alongside assistance from the British air force base in the island’s south. — AFP
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