Larnaca operation to remove cars stuck in salt lake for a week underway (photos+videos)

Larnaca municipality launched an operation at 7am using a private crane company to remove two vehicles that have been stuck in Larnaca salt lake since last Wednesday.

The company deployed a specialist vehicle with large ropes tied to the cars, which are located approximately 400 metres into the wetland. It remains unknown whether the operation will succeed due to the mud in the salt lake.

The vehicle recovery operation is expected to take hours, and according to Larnaca municipality, the cars will be transferred to its warehouses. The drivers will be called to collect them after paying the operation costs.

The private company informed the municipality that the procedure is expected to cost between €5,000 and €8,000.

The first driver entered the salt lake and his car became stuck in the mud. He then notified a second driver to help free him, but the second vehicle also became immobilised in the salt lake.

Larnaca deputy mayor Iasonas Iasonidis told state radio that the first driver told municipal employees he entered the salt lake to take better photographs of the sunset.

Game and Fauna service fines first driver €2,000 for damaging protected habitat

The Game and Fauna Service has already imposed a €2,000 fine on the first driver for intervention and damaging activity that degraded the habitat, under the Protection and Management of Wild Birds and Game Laws.

According to a statement from Larnaca municipality, Larnaca salt lake “is one of Cyprus’s most important natural treasures and is included in the NATURA 2000 network and the Ramsar Convention, with exceptional importance for wildlife and particularly for the waterfowl it hosts. Since 1997 it has been under strict protection based on national and European legislation”.

The statement adds that “any activity which may affect directly or indirectly the ecosystem, species or species habitats constitutes an offence according to the Protection and Management of Nature and Wildlife Laws of 2003 to 2015 and the Protection and Management of Wild Birds and Game Laws of 2003 to 2021”.

However, the statement concludes, “despite repeated instructions, awareness campaigns and signage in the area, some continue to blatantly ignore the rules and engage in unacceptable actions that endanger the salt lake ecosystem”.

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