Latest news with #MariosHartsiotis
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Cyprus fires: Woman shares 'very difficult' remains of home completely destroyed by fire
Horrifying footage of the burnt-out wreckage of a house in Cyprus sheds light on the terrible toll of a blaze which has ripped across the beautiful island nation, destroying homes and resulting in tragedy After a wildfire wreaked destruction across Cyprus, a local woman has shed light on the devastating impact the catastrophe has had on those who continue to suffer through it. Yesterday, occupants of a dozen hillside villages on the southern flank of the island's Troodos mountain range were forced to flee, as scenes of chaos unfolded. Images show ferocious wildfire ripping through 100 square kilometres (38.6 square miles) of forested hillsides, decimating a number of homes as it scorched everything in its path. Tragically, it's understood that one elderly couple was burned to death in their car as they desperately tried to escape the flames. One of the hardest hit areas is the picturesque village community of Souni-Zanakia in the Limassol District, a place loved for its quaint charm, romantic ocean views, and peaceful nature trails. Today, the area looks barely recognisable. Luxurious villas have been reduced to charred ruins, while the once soothing green trees that lined the narrow streets are left blackened and stripped of leaves. The air, usually filled with fresh sea breezes, is choked with smoke, as locals survey the grim remains of their once idyllic homes. Cyprus fires horror as two burned alive trying to flee in car and villas reduced to ash Cyprus travel warnings for Brits as deadly wildfire rips through the island One video shared via TikTok illuminates the reality of walking through the streets of Souni after the blaze. The sad clip, uploaded by TikTok user @anjanaa611, shows the burnt-out wreck of what would have once been a large and handsome-looking house, complete with a spacious balcony and a neat hedge. Although the stone walls are still standing, the smoke damage is extensive, while the window frames lie empty and open to the elements. Where the ceiling once was, there is now only blue sky. In the caption of her post, the content creator reflected that the situation could have been worse, writing: "Very difficult situation for us hope everything will fine thank god all people are safe." Many of those in the comments section offered their best wishes, urging her to "stay safe". One person sympathised: "Firstly, they lost their houses after the war, now fire." Another said: "So sad, may god be with you all." Cyprus's temperatures are forecast to hit a worrying 45C this weekend. After three consecutive dry winters, the island nation has been on high alert for fires this summer. Cyprus' Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis previously told state-run Cyprus News Agency that over 100 individuals evacuated from the communities ravaged by flames are now being accommodated in temporary shelters. A total of 14 villages across a 14-kilometre stretch of mountainous landscape had to be evacuated.
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.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Climate
- New Straits Times
Two dead as Cyprus battles wildfire in searing heat
NICOSIA: 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. 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 kilometres (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 neighbouring 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. He 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 Logginos 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. — AFP
CTV News
6 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Massive wildfire destroys homes in Cyprus and 2 bodies found in burned-out car
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. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) NICOSIA, Cyprus — Police in Cyprus found two bodies inside a burned-out car Thursday after a massive wildfire scorched 100 square kilometres (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. 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. 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. Menelaos Hadjicostis, The Associated Press
6 days ago
- Climate
Massive wildfire destroys homes in Cyprus and 2 bodies found in burned-out car
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. 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. 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.
