‘Pure hell’: charred aftermath of worst Cyprus forest fire in decades
- ‘Largest fire since 1974’ destroys dozens of homes, kills four
- Police said a 67-year-old farmer faces arson charges
Cyprus said a deadly forest fire that was the worst to hit the island in decades was close to being brought under control after water bombing by Greek and Israeli aircraft.
Fanned by strong winds, the fire broke out Saturday afternoon and swept through the southern foothills of the Troodos mountain range as the country grappled with a blistering heatwave.
The fire – described by the forestry department as the worst since the Republic of Cyprus’ establishment in 1960 – killed four Egyptian labourers, destroyed 50 homes, damaged power lines and forced the evacuation of 10 villages.
“Everything was a nightmare and pure hell here; the village was surrounded by fire,” said Akis Giorgiou, 45, from the hamlet of Arakapas.
By late Sunday afternoon, the government reported a “reduction of (fire) outbreaks” thanks to “effective water drops by Greek and Israeli aircraft”.
“It is a tragedy,” President Nicos Anastasiades said on Twitter, describing it as “the largest fire since 1974”, the year when the island was divided after Turkey occupied its northern third.
The blaze destroyed 55 sq km (21 square miles) of forest and farmland, according to the forestry department.