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L'Orient-Le Jour
5 days ago
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Lebanese Army sends helicopters to Limassol to help extinguish fires
BEIRUT — The Lebanese Army announced Friday that two military helicopters flew to the neighboring island of Cyprus to help extinguish fires that broke out Wednesday near Limassol (south), which have already left two dead. Early in the afternoon, Cypriot authorities announced the fires had been contained. "Two helicopters from the Lebanese Air Force took off this morning from Beirut Air Base to take part in extinguishing the fires in Cyprus, at the initiative of the Lebanese authorities and in coordination between the army command and the Cypriot authorities," the Army said on its website. At the beginning of July, Army helicopters had already taken part in putting out forest fires in the Latakia region on Syria's coastal area for nearly a week. The forest fires on the outskirts of Limassol, Cyprus's second-largest city, have been fanned by strong winds and high temperatures. Cypriot police said two burned bodies were found inside a charred car engulfed by the fire that broke out Wednesday in parts of the southern coastal region of the island. According to fire brigade spokesman Andreas Kettis, the fire, which started in the village of Malia in the hills above Limassol, destroyed 100 square kilometers. More than 250 firefighters, 75 vehicles, and helicopters are involved in operations to fight the blaze. The government had called on several countries to send planes to assist them. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun was in Cyprus at the start of the month and discussed with his counterpart Nikos Christodoulides the "means of strengthening cooperation between the two countries in various fields."
Arab News
6 days ago
- Climate
- Arab News
Two dead as Cyprus battles wildfire in searing heat
SOUNI, Cyprus: Two people have died in a wildfire outside Cyprus's second city of Limassol fanned by strong winds and temperatures that were forecast to reach 44C, authorities said on Thursday. Police said two charred bodies were found in a burnt out car believed to have been caught up in the blaze that erupted on Wednesday afternoon. 'We express the deep sorrow of the state over the unjust loss of two of our fellow citizens during the devastating wildfires,' said government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis. Announcing relief measures for the affected communities, Letymbiotis said that 'what is unfolding in our country... is unprecedented' with 'multiple simultaneous wildfire outbreaks.' Health authorities said two people were admitted to hospital with severe burns while another 16 were treated for less serious injuries. Fire service spokesperson Andreas Kettis said the blaze, which started in the village of Malia in the hills above Limassol, ravaged 100 square kilometers (nearly 40 square miles). He said there were 'no active fronts' in the fire but intense 'flare-ups' continued in the area. Authorities issued an extreme heat alert for the Mediterranean holiday island as temperatures were expected to peak at 44C. More than 250 firefighters and 75 vehicles were deployed to battle the blaze. The government has asked neighboring countries to send aircraft to support the firefighting effort. Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis told public broadcaster CyBC that Jordan had two firefighting aircraft on stand-by while two more were expected to come from Spain. Israel said it would send later on Thursday a military aircraft 'to provide aerial support to Cyprus in its battle against the fires sweeping the island.' Hartsiotis said 106 people had to spend the night in temporary accommodation after several villages were evacuated in the face of the advancing flames. Scores of homes are feared to have been damaged or destroyed by the fire, with 16 communities left without electricity for airconditioning or refrigeration in the searing heat. 'When I entered my house, I saw the mountain and the valley full of flames,' said Antonis Christou, a resident of Kandou, one of the villages affected by the fire. 'I cried, really I cried, because people got burnt, and someone got burnt while in his car.' Fire service chief Nikos Longinos told CyBC that he had passed on witness testimony to the police which suggested that the blaze might have been started deliberately. Cyprus is hit by wildfires almost every year during the island's hot, dry summers. A 2021 wildfire in Larnaca district killed four Egyptian farmworkers.
See - Sada Elbalad
6 days ago
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
2 Dead in Wildfires in Cyprus
Israa Farhan A devastating wildfire in southern Cyprus has claimed the lives of two people and forced the evacuation of hundreds, as extreme heat and strong winds fueled the spread of the blaze. The fire erupted on Wednesday near the wine-producing region north of Limassol, destroying homes and threatening entire communities. Authorities confirmed that at least 100 square kilometers of land have been scorched. The bodies of two individuals were discovered inside a burnt-out vehicle, apparently trapped by the advancing flames. Police reported that at least 10 others have sustained injuries, including two in critical condition. The blaze comes as Cyprus faces one of its most severe heat waves in recent years. Temperatures peaked at 43°C (109.4°F) on Wednesday, prompting a red weather warning. A further alert was issued on Thursday, with forecasts predicting a high of 44°C, the hottest temperature recorded in the country so far this year. Fire Department spokesperson Andreas Kettis highlighted the challenging conditions faced by emergency services, stating that intense and unpredictable wind gusts have significantly hindered firefighting efforts. While the exact cause of the wildfire remains under investigation, Cypriot officials say it is still too early to provide a detailed assessment of the full extent of the damage. Cyprus has formally requested international assistance through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism. Spain is expected to deploy two firefighting aircraft on Thursday, according to government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis. Jordan has also pledged support in battling the rapidly spreading fire. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
Toronto Sun
6 days ago
- Climate
- Toronto Sun
Massive wildfire destroys homes in Cyprus, bodies found in burned-out car
More than 100 people who were evacuated from fire-hit communities are being hosted in temporary shelters Published Jul 24, 2025 • 2 minute read Flames burn near a house in Souni village, Cyprus, during a massive wildfire on the southern side of the east Mediterranean island nation's Troodos mountain range, Thursday, July 24, 2025. Photo by Petros Karadjias / AP NICOSIA, Cyprus — Police in Cyprus found two bodies inside a burned-out car Thursday after a massive wildfire scorched 100 square kilometers (38.6 square miles) of forested hillsides, destroyed numerous homes and forced the evacuation of a dozen villages on the southern side of the island nation's Troodos mountain range. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Police initially reported late Wednesday that Civil Defense personnel found the charred body of a single individual inside the vehicle on a main road connecting fire-hit hillside villages. But a second body was discovered early Thursday morning and police said identification efforts are ongoing. Photos posted on social media purported to show the victims' gutted vehicle on the shoulder of the main Monagri-Alassa road. Fire Service Spokesman Andreas Kettis told state-run Cyprus News Agency there are currently no active fronts but fire crews were still battling numerous flare-ups, and winds are expected to pick up later in the day. Up to 14 aircraft are resuming water drops over hard-to-reach areas. Cyprus' Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis told the state broadcaster that more than 100 people who were evacuated from fire-hit communities are being hosted in temporary shelters. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The fire forced the evacuation of 14 villages along a 14-kilometer (8.7-mile) stretch of mountainous terrain. Media reports showed gutted homes smoldering as flames swept through the outskirts of some villages. In the village of Lofou, at least 20 homes were destroyed as fires threated a group of stranded evacuees whose police buses had to turn back as the fire front shifted to block their exit. Images broadcast on media late Wednesday showed flames consuming trees, brush and other vegetation along a huge front burning bright orange against the backdrop of a nighttime sky. Police continued to block road access to the fire-afflicted communities as area residents vented against what they called a disorganized response to the huge fire. Government spokesman Constantinos Letymbiotis said Spain would be sending two fire-fighting aircraft Thursday morning to assist local crews. Jordan is helping with two of its own helicopters, which had been deployed in Cyprus for firefighting. An RAF Chinook helicopter that operates from one of two British Bases on Cyprus is also assisting. Limassol Municipality and the local soccer club Apollonas offered apartments and a basketball court respectively to temporarily house evacuees. Cyprus has been on high alert for fires this summer after three consecutive arid winters. Sports Golf Sunshine Girls Canada Sunshine Girls
Telegraph
6 days ago
- Climate
- Telegraph
Holiday villas reduced to ashes in Cyprus wildfires
Holiday villas have been reduced to ashes and two people have died in a Cyprus wildfire fanned by strong winds and scorching temperatures. The bodies of two people were found in a burnt car as the flames destroyed several homes and forced the evacuation of a dozen villages near Limassol on the southern side of the Mediterranean holiday island on Wednesday. Temperatures on the island are forecast to reach 44C. By Thursday, the flames had scorched 100 square kilometres (38.6 square miles) of forested hillsides popular with tourists. More than 250 firefighters and 75 vehicles were deployed to battle the blaze. The government has requested that neighbouring countries send aircraft to support the effort. Police initially reported late Wednesday that Civil Defence personnel found the charred body of a single individual inside the vehicle on a main road connecting fire-hit hillside villages. A second body was discovered early Thursday morning. Police said they are still working to identify the victims. Health authorities also said two people were admitted to hospital with severe burns, while another 16 were treated for other injuries. The blaze started in the village of Malia in the hills above the city of Limassol. Andreas Kettis, a spokesman for the fire service, said that there were 'no active fronts' in the fire, but intense 'flare-ups' continued in the area. Late on Wednesday, flames could be seen consuming trees, brush and other vegetation along a huge front burning bright orange against the backdrop of a nighttime sky. Marios Hartsiotis, the justice minister, told public broadcaster CyBC that Jordan had two firefighting aircraft on stand-by while two more were expected to come from Spain. He said 106 people were forced to spend the night in temporary accommodation after several villages were evacuated. Scores of homes have been damaged or destroyed by the fire, with 16 communities left without electricity for air-conditioning or refrigeration in the searing heat. 'When I entered my house, I saw the mountain and the valley full of flames,' said Antonis Christou, a resident of Kandou, one of the villages affected by the fire. 'I cried, really I cried, because people got burnt ... burnt while in the car.' Police on Thursday continued to block road access to the fire-afflicted communities as area residents vented against what they called a disorganised response to the huge fire. Nikos Logginos, chief of the fire service, told CyBC that he had passed on witness testimony to the police, which suggested that the blaze might have been started deliberately. Cyprus is hit by wildfires almost every year during the island's hot, dry summers. A 2021 wildfire in the Larnaca district killed four Egyptian farmworkers.
