Police in Limassol continue investigating the deaths of the elderly couple who perished in a wildfire in July whilst attempting to flee the mountain blaze, focusing on whether they received evacuation warnings.
Dimitris Filippidis Pastou, 85, known as Pamboulis, and his wife Maro Avraam Filippidou, 77, died when their vehicle was engulfed by flames on the Monagri-Alassa road on 22nd July.
Two witnesses have testified they informed all Monagri residents to gather at the community football pitch due to the fire situation, where a safe escape route would be decided.
Police are examining whether the couple received this notification and whether they attended the gathering.
Investigations suggest the couple followed an unknown route and reached the Monagri-Alassa road, which had not yet been closed at that time. The road closure was decided minutes later, after the tragedy occurred.
Other Monagri residents had escaped via a different route. Civil Defence members discovered the couple’s burnt vehicle at 9pm on 22nd July, with a second charred body found five hours later.
The couple owned a holiday home in the community. Police continue taking statements from other Monagri residents to cross-reference the two witnesses’ accounts and determine if anyone noticed the couple’s presence during any stage of the community evacuation.
Investigators await forensic examination reports of the charred remains and toxicology test results. Parliament is expected to be briefed on the investigation’s progress this Friday during a joint session of three committees examining the causes of the deadly wildfire.
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