Two dead and hundreds evacuated by large natural fire in Cyprus
Two people were killed and evacuated by a large natural fire in southern Cyprus. The fire started on Wednesday afternoon in a mountainous area north of the city of Limassol and quickly spread through strong wind and extreme heat.
The bodies of the victims were found at night in a burnt -out car. In the village of Lofou, 26 kilometers from Limassol, residents had to be evacuated in a hurry while the flames approached. In the villages of Souni and Zanakia, houses are on fire on Thursday morning.
“The situation is very serious and the fire is huge. All emergency services are mobilized,” said President Nikos Christodoulides.
The temperature rose to 43 degrees on Wednesday and can rise to 44 degrees on Thursday, the highest this year. Spain sends two fireplaces through the European emergency mechanism on Thursday, and Jordan has also promised help. Cyprus has been struggling with severe drought for some time.