Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis on Friday issued a retraction of controversial remarks regarding the deaths of an elderly couple during the Limassol fire, acknowledging his comments “reasonably caused negative associations and subsequent criticism” following widespread public outrage.
In his statement, Hartsiotis described the loss of two citizens as “undoubtedly a tragic event” and stated that both the deaths and widespread destruction from the unprecedented fire “shocked all of us and no word or expression can convey the magnitude of our grief.”
The minister added that his reference “in no case aimed to diminish the value of human life, the safeguarding of which – as I repeatedly stated from the first moment the fire broke out – was the government’s priority.”
Hartsiotis extended condolences to the family and relatives of the deceased, expressing government and personal sympathy for those who lost properties. He renewed thanks to firefighters, police, local authorities, civil defence personnel and volunteers who “exceeded themselves to contain this unprecedented natural disaster.”
The minister praised residents of affected communities for cooperating with authorities, stating their collective contribution “prevented further loss of human life in the evacuated communities.”
The minister had originally drawn widespread criticism after congratulating emergency services on Friday for their handling of the deadly wildfire whilst stating “if we exclude the two deaths, we had no other loss of life” from the disaster that forced evacuation of 16 communities.
Speaking to journalists, Hartsiotis had praised state services for their response to the fatal blaze, emphasising positive outcomes despite property destruction and human casualties. “Apart from the unfortunate incident of our two fellow citizens, whilst 16 villages were evacuated, we had absolutely no loss of life. This must be noted,” he had stated.
The original remarks prompted immediate social media backlash from citizens expressing outrage over perceived insensitivity regarding human life. Hartsiotis had also defended the government’s emergency systems after a journalist referenced the use of church bells for danger warnings in 2025, stating authorities would use “bells and as many bells as needed to save human lives.”
His initial comments included expectations that media should provide “at least a thank you” for the emergency response efforts, further intensifying public criticism of his handling of the tragedy.
Read more:
