A devastating inferno, believed to have been ignited by a carelessly discarded cigarette, has ravaged the Cypriot countryside, leaving a trail of destruction and tragedy in its wake. The blaze, described by eyewitnesses as apocalyptic, has claimed the lives of two people and obliterated multi-million-euro properties.
The fire erupted in the mountainous village of Arakapas, near Limassol, swiftly exploiting tinder-dry conditions and powerful winds to morph into an unstoppable force. Firefighters battled through the night against the relentless flames, which illuminated the night sky with an ominous orange glow.
Human Cost and Heroic Rescues
In a harrowing incident, the bodies of a 60-year-old man and a 64-year-old woman were discovered in a field near Odou. They are thought to have been tragically trapped and overcome by the rapidly advancing fire while attempting to protect their livestock.
Dramatic aerial rescues were conducted by the police air unit, saving four individuals who were stranded and surrounded by the flames. On the ground, emergency services executed a large-scale evacuation, ensuring the safety of residents from multiple villages in the fire's path.
Trail of Destruction: Luxury Villas Reduced to Ash
The financial cost of the wildfire is staggering. Multi-million pound luxury villas were completely consumed, leaving behind only their skeletal foundations and piles of smouldering ash. The fire's ferocity melted cars and reduced countless acres of pristine forest and farmland to a charred landscape.
Local wineries and agricultural lands, vital to the region's economy, have been severely impacted, with vineyards and orchards destroyed.
Cause and Response
Authorities have pointed to a discarded cigarette as the likely cause of the catastrophe. Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides, who cut short his EU summit attendance to visit the scene, vowed full state support for those affected.
'The state will be next to our citizens, both in the first phase of dealing with the situation and in supporting them to rebuild their lives,' he stated. The investigation into the fire's exact origin remains ongoing.
