A seven-hour operation to extract two vehicles that remained stuck in Larnaca salt lake for a week has been completed after the tow rope repeatedly broke during the difficult rescue.
The operation, which began at 7am, was particularly challenging as the tow rope on the large crane from a private company mobilised by Larnaca municipality kept breaking.
The first vehicle, which became immobilised whilst attempting to move the first car, was towed shortly after 11:30am, whilst the second was removed at 2pm.
“The second car was very difficult to extract because both its wheels had sunk,” Ilias Hatzilias, a Larnaca municipality employee who assisted in the lengthy operation, told Philenews.
According to Larnaca municipality, the cars will be transferred to its warehouses, and 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.
Driver entered wetland to get closer to sunset for photographs
Larnaca deputy mayor Iasonas Iasonidis said at the scene at 11am that “you see the whole process of the private company which has undertaken the extraction of the two vehicles, which at this moment appears to be successful. It is slightly delayed due to the difficulty of the mud, which, with the movement of the cars has risen and makes the work more difficult. However, the procedure is in progress and we hope by 2pm at the latest both cars will be out of the salt lake”.
Regarding the owner’s claims, he said, “when Larnaca municipality services spoke to him, he said he was trying to get closer to the sunset to capture better images with his camera”.
Deputy mayor rules out fencing protected habitat despite incidents
“I want to say clearly that we will not close it off or put up a fence as some say because the habitat then loses its value. We must learn, both we as Cypriots and the whole world, because we also see tourists going to the centre of the salt lake when it is forbidden, to respect habitats and the natural environment,” he added.
He recalled that “a fine of €2,000 has been imposed by the Game and Fauna Service to be paid by the driver who drove the first vehicle. The owner of the company that has undertaken to extract the two cars has said it will cost between €5,000 and €8,000. This cost will be borne by the gentleman who entered with his car inside. We, as soon as they are extracted, will take them to municipal warehouses to confiscate them until the company is paid”.
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.
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”.
