A serious liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) leak at a restaurant in the Engomi area of Nicosia on Sunday afternoon prompted authorities to evacuate the premises and nearby buildings, close roads, and implement a power cut in the wider area for safety reasons.
The leak originated from six 500-litre LPG cylinders at the restaurant, located near the Hilton Park area. Fire Service and Police units were dispatched to the scene.
Nicosia Fire Stations responded to the call, with Fire Service personnel ensuring the evacuation of the restaurant, including staff members who were inside and working.
Police cordoned off the area for safety and implemented significant road closures to secure the perimeter.
The leak from the six cylinders was brought under control with the assistance of technicians from the EKO company, whose safe access to the site was secured by the Fire Service.
Specific roads closed to traffic included a section of Griva Digeni Avenue, from the junction with Agiou Prokopiou Avenue near Kykkos Metochi to the junction with 28th Oktovriou Avenue in the Makedonitissa area. Nikou Kranidioti street, from the junction with Melinas Mercouri street near the Land Registry Department, was also closed, as was Melinas Mercouri street itself.
A power cut was implemented in the Engomi – Makedonitissa areas following a request from the Fire Service for safety. EAC (Electricity Authority of Cyprus) Spokesperson Christina Papadopoulou told CNA (Cyprus News Agency), “The Fire Service requested us to cut the electricity supply for safety reasons.”
She explained the power supply was cut for approximately two hours, from 20:10 to 22:15, affecting specific locations including ETHA Engomi, Alphamega supermarket, Kykkos traffic lights, McDonald’s, Montparnasse, and the Chinese Embassy. Traffic lights in the affected road network were not operational during the cut, and drivers were urged to exercise particular caution and follow traffic regulations. Power was scheduled to be restored once approved by the Fire Service.
The area remains sealed off for examination by the Fire Service and Police, and for the safe removal of the cylinders, in cooperation with officials from a private fuel company. No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.
