A major wildfire broke out on Wednesday in Cyprus, prompting the evacuation of at least four villages near Limassol as a heatwave gripped the island.
The fire, which erupted around midday, tore through mountainous terrain north of the southern city, fanned by strong winds and soaring temperatures.
The region, known for its vineyards, has seen “considerable damage” to homes, according to a spokesperson from the fire service.
President Nikos Christodoulides described the situation as “very difficult” and that the “fire front is huge”. He added that all available resources had been mobilised.
Cyprus has requested assistance through the European Union’s civil protection mechanism, and neighbouring Jordan is sending support, the president confirmed.
At least 14 aircraft and multiple ground crews were engaged in efforts to contain the blaze, though the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Police have also found a person dead inside a car near the massive wildfire.
Meanwhile in Turkey, 10 firefighters and rescue workers were killed and many others injured while battling a wildfire.
The five forestry workers and five members of a rescue organisation died while trying to put out the wildfire raging through a forested area of Eskisehir province.
At least 14 other rescuers and forestry workers were hospitalised.
The deaths bring the number of fatalities from Turkey’s wildfires that have flared amid strong winds, high temperatures and dry conditions to 13.
Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said the wind suddenly changed direction, causing the flames to shift rapidly and surround the forest workers.
He said firefighters were currently battling seven wildfires in Turkey, including the one in Eskisehir, adding that extreme heat and volatile wind conditions were expected to continue.
“Starting tomorrow, we are facing extraordinary temperatures and extreme wind shifts. Once again, I call on all 86 million citizens to be vigilant and exercise extra caution,” he said.
In a message of condolence to the families, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the victims had fought “to protect our forests at cost of their lives.”
Two prosecutors were assigned to investigate the incident, the country’s justice minister said.
Turkey has been battling wildfires since June 26.
An elderly man and two forestry workers were killed in a wildfire that raged near the town of Odemis, in Izmir province, earlier this month.
With AP
