A massive wildfire has burnt approximately 100 square kilometres in Cyprus’s Limassol district since Wednesday afternoon, destroying dozens of homes and forcing the evacuation of multiple mountain communities. Two people were found dead in a burnt vehicle in Monagri.
The burnt vehicle in which two charred bodies were found was moved and transferred to Limassol Police Station early Thursday morning for investigation.
Hundreds of firefighters, volunteers and members of Civil Defence, the National Guard, MMAD and the Fire Service operated continuously through the night in efforts to contain the blaze and protect lives and property.
The battle continued unabated until dawn, with the fire front remaining out of control despite reinforcement from aerial units.
Smoke and suffocating conditions covered Limassol city and district as extreme weather conditions hampered containment efforts.
Residents, elderly people, children and families were forced to abandon their homes under chaotic conditions. Volunteers from across Cyprus responded immediately to assist, whilst residents from other areas opened their homes to evacuated families.
Fire Service spokesman Andreas Kettis confirmed the scale of destruction, stating that intense flare-ups continue to be addressed, though no active front currently exists.
“We have 10 aerial units conducting drops based on assessment, with an 11th coordinating. Soon the aerial units will increase to 13, with a 14th coordinating,” he said.
Two people with serious burns have been transferred to the burns clinic at Nicosia General Hospital, whilst 16 people in total were taken to Limassol Emergency Department.
A first aid centre has been established at Erimi Community Stadium to serve residents experiencing respiratory problems.
The hardest-hit community of Souni-Zanakia faced complete destruction, according to community leader Nikos Vikis. “A disaster, the fire burnt everything,” he told state radio.
“Where we didn’t expect it, the fire came and burned our forest along with the houses.” Vikis said residents evacuated the village themselves after receiving no help despite requests, with 3,000 to 3,500 people in the community when panic ensued.
In Lofou, approximately 20 houses burnt, including two in the village centre, according to community leader Giannis Neofytou. Residents trapped overnight were evacuated with police assistance, though access remains difficult due to fallen electricity poles and debris blocking roads.
The blaze began in Malia on Wednesday and spread rapidly eastward and southward, affecting numerous communities. Current active fronts are concentrated in the Pachna-Agios Ambrosios area, according to weather monitoring services.
The Kitasweather volunteer firefighting team deployed 18 volunteers and two fire vehicles from the initial stages, engaging in what they described as a massive and unequal battle with the flames before being relieved by stronger forces.
Meteorological Service Director Filippos Tymbios said weather conditions have improved compared to Wednesday, when winds reached 5-6 Beaufort scale with gusts up to 8 Beaufort, pushing the fire southward toward Limassol.
Thursday morning winds are light northwesterly, though they are expected to shift to moderate southwesterly 3-4 Beaufort after 11:00 AM.
An orange weather warning remains in effect for temperatures expected to reach 44 degrees Celsius.
Evacuated communities include Agios Ambrosios, Kyvides, Souni-Zanakia, Agios Therapon, Potamiou, Malia, Vasa, Vouni, Koilani, Lofou, Pera Pedi, Monagri, and the camping areas at Platres, Pera Pedi, Agia Mavri, as well as other recreational areas.
Precautionary evacuations also affected parts of Sotira Limassol and Ypsonas areas.
Several communities remain without water or electricity as infrastructure damage assessment continues. Areas of Limassol remain without power due to the fire damage.
The Limassol Provincial Administration has established telephone lines for damage reports: 25806405, 25806459, 25806426, 25806422.
Police continue patrols in affected areas for public protection and to identify fire flare-up points. Roads from Trimiklini-Lania-Alassa and Vouni-Agios Ambrosios-Kyvides remain closed to traffic.
The Cyprus Red Cross has joined relief efforts to assist displaced residents, whilst volunteers from across the island have responded to help evacuated families find temporary accommodation.
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