A fire has destroyed the Paphos desalination plant, jeopardising one-third of the district’s water supply, with authorities delaying site inspection due to safety concerns.
The blaze, which started Friday evening in a storage area containing plastic materials and flammable substances, was brought under partial control within two hours but continued burning until dawn. Two facility operators evacuated safely when the fire broke out.
Assistant Police Director Michalis Nicolaou announced today that examinations of the site and collection of evidence will be postponed, with the area remaining cordoned off and under police guard due to the dangerous condition of the building following the fire.
President Christodoulides, visiting the Tylliria region, assured that the government would take all necessary measures to maintain uninterrupted water supply, including expediting procedures for mobile units. “Fortunately, there were no human casualties,” he said, adding that he had already discussed emergency measures with the Agriculture Minister.
Water authorities, agricultural officials, and local representatives have warned of significant impacts on the region’s water management. DIKO MP Chrysanthos Savvides, who visited the site, noted the plant normally produced 15,000-20,000 cubic metres of water daily, essential for both drinking water and agricultural needs in the Paphos district.
The Agriculture Ministry will hold an emergency meeting Monday to address the crisis and plan immediate actions to compensate for the loss. The incident is expected to accelerate plans for new desalination facilities across the island.
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