A massive wildfire in Paphos, Cyprus, forced the evacuation of three villages and destroyed numerous homes and animals on Tuesday. The villages of Psathi, Choulou, and Lemona were evacuated as flames spread uncontrollably.
President Nikos Christodoulides cut short his trip to Jordan to oversee the response efforts at the Joint Rescue and Coordination Centre (JRCC) upon his arrival.
He praised the “superhuman efforts” of the firefighting teams but confirmed the fire was not yet under control. Initial investigations suggest the fire may have started in an illegal rubbish dump.
The government has promised immediate assistance to those who lost their homes.
Fire brigade spokesman Andreas Kettis reported the situation as “relatively calm” but noted it could have been worse. He indicated that the fire might have originated from scattered rubbish dumps in the area, a theory that will be further investigated once the fire is fully extinguished.
Paphos district office George Chrysapinis reassured that the danger to human life had passed and the fire was moving towards Lemona and away from Psathi.
Kettis, stated that the fire, which remains uncontrolled, is moving east and is threatening the village of Choulou, which has already been evacuated.
He noted that the area is impassable and consists of rough terrain. “Efforts are being made to deploy the two aerial units that arrived in Cyprus from Australia,” he added.
Damage assessments are ongoing, and the district administration is prepared to provide temporary housing for affected residents, Philenews reported.
Five aircraft and multiple ground vehicles are battling the blaze, with ambulances on-site to assist residents with breathing difficulties. Private individuals have also taken injured animals to veterinarians for treatment.
Newly elected Paphos district governor Charalambos Pittokopitis criticized the forestry department for not having its director, Savvas Iezekiel, on the front lines initially. He also expressed concern over the lack of trained personnel for some of the Republic of Cyprus’s aerial firefighting equipment.
Fire engines from across the district and local residents are working tirelessly to control the fires. Psathi’s Ayia Paraskevi church is reportedly at risk. Local resident Andreas Constantinou confirmed no casualties have been reported, but other residents criticised the inadequate firefighting infrastructure and lack of preventative measures.
The government has activated the Pyrsos plan, with a ministerial team coordinating efforts at the JRCC.
The defence, justice, and agriculture ministers, along with the fire brigade’s chief and the forestry department director, are all involved. Efforts are being made to secure additional air support from Jordan, Israel, Greece, and the European Union.
Jordanian King Abdullah responded to a personal request from President Christodoulides for aerial support, promptly instructing the dispatch of aircraft to Cyprus, Cyprus Mail reported.
Assistant operations chief Michalis Nikolaou reported that the fire in Psathi was dangerously close to Ayios Dimitrianos. The fire brigade identified the fire’s origin as an area of dry grass and low vegetation, though the exact cause remains undetermined.
