One person has sustained extensive burns and has been taken to Limassol General Hospital as an out-of-control wildfire continues to rage through the Limassol district.
The blaze has prompted the evacuation of 11 communities and camping sites in the wider Platres area, with homes and vehicles already destroyed.
The fire is currently uncontrolled around the communities of Malia, Vouni, Vasa, Lofou, Potamiou, Agios Therapon, Omodos, Koilani, Pera Pedi, Arsos, and Malia. Authorities are coordinating ongoing rescue efforts and evacuations through Civil Defence and National Guard teams.
President Nikos Christodoulides is en route to the affected areas, while Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis described the situation as “difficult,” noting the strong winds fanning the flames.
According to the Fire Service, the fire is heading towards Pera Pedi and Koilani. The community leader of Lofou reported that the fire is burning around the community, threatening a hotel, and has already destroyed houses. He also claimed that no aerial firefighting assets had been deployed to the area so far.
A significant active front is also moving from Agia Mavri towards Koilani, with other fronts active within the communities of Vouni and Vasa Koilaniou. The Fire Service is focusing its efforts on protecting communities, while the Forest Department is operating outside community boundaries.
All A&E departments at public hospitals and the Burns Unit at Nicosia General Hospital are on full alert to handle potential casualties from the fire, stated Charalambos Charilaou, spokesperson for the State Health Services Organisation (OKYpY). Three ambulances, a specialised OKYpY Ambulance Directorate team, and two specialised nurses staffing air ambulance helicopters are on site.
The number of aerial firefighting assets has increased to 13, with an additional aircraft for coordination. Minister Hartsiotis confirmed that assistance would be requested from neighbouring countries to help extinguish the massive blaze. “I ask residents to cooperate because the primary goal is to avoid injuries and losses,” the Minister stressed, adding that there have been no reports of civilian injuries so far, apart from the initial burn victim.
Police have advised residents in Omodos, Koilani, Vasa Koilaniou, Potamiou, and Arsos to comply with instructions from the Police, Fire Service, and Civil Defence to facilitate evacuations.
Matthaios Protopapas, head of the Vouni Community Council, described a “great disaster” in Vouni. He confirmed that access roads to the community are closed due to the fire and that the blaze is now moving towards Agios Therapon.
Strong forces from the Fire Service, Forest Department, District Administration, Civil Defence, and volunteer groups are operating in the area. Local authorities are on high alert, coordinating evacuation operations with Civil Defence.
The Fire Service is conducting evacuations in Vouni, while Civil Defence is evacuating Potamiou. The community of Malia was evacuated earlier, and the evacuation of the neighbouring community of Vasa Koilaniou is currently being completed, according to Marilena Athini, head of the Malia Community Council.
Ms Athini stated that authorities are making strenuous efforts, and some residents initially resisted evacuating their homes. She added that due to the closure of the road connecting Malia and Omodos, residents are being evacuated via the main road to Pachna.
Firefighting personnel from all districts of Cyprus are continuously reinforcing the efforts, with additional forces arriving from Larnaca, Paphos, and the Fire Service’s EMAK unit. Christoforos Stylianou, Limassol District Officer, is coordinating firefighting forces at the scene, and Fire Chief Nikos Longinos is also en route. A forward command centre has been activated.
The fire initially broke out in the community of Malia, with immediate reports of damage to homes and properties. As a result of the fire, police have closed the Malia-Omodos and Malia-Arsos roads to traffic. The “IKAROS II” protocol was activated immediately, and Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis promptly arrived at the scene.
The fire in Malia has grown significantly and is spreading rapidly due to very strong winds in the area, according to kitasweather. Pyrometeorological conditions remain very adverse, threatening the communities of Potamiou and Omodos.
Kitasweather reported that the temperature in Malia is currently 38.3 degrees Celsius, with relative humidity below 20%. Moderate south-westerly winds of 5 Beaufort continue to blow, with gale-force gusts reaching 8 Beaufort. Recent updates indicate the fire has spread to the village of Vasa Koilaniou, with community leader Michalis Mosfilis confirming that houses are burning.
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