Two individuals tragically lost their lives in a vehicle during the wildfires raging through southern Cyprus, as the region braces for extreme temperatures, potentially reaching 44C. Authorities reported that the charred bodies were discovered in a burned-out car in the Malia village of Limassol following the outbreak of the fire on Wednesday afternoon. While formal identification is pending, local reports suggest the vehicle belonged to a missing 77-year-old woman.
The deceased are believed to be an elderly couple from the vicinity, contributing to the already alarming number of residents affected by the wildfires. More than a dozen individuals have been treated for injuries related to the fires, which have devastated homes and consumed approximately 100 square kilometers (40 square miles) of land.
The Cypriot government has mobilized over 250 firefighters to combat the flames, which have been exacerbated by strong winds and soaring temperatures. An extreme maximum temperature alert has been issued for Thursday, signaling a predicted high of 44C in inland regions. Despite firefighters' efforts, there remain concerns of flare-ups, with several communities left without power or air conditioning due to the disaster.
Local resident Antonis Christou, who witnessed the flames engulfing his neighborhood in Kandou, expressed his sorrow over the situation, stating, "I cried, really I cried, because people got burnt." In response to the escalating crisis, Cyprus has called for international aid, requesting support via the European Union's civil protection mechanism.
Spain is anticipated to send two firefighting aircraft to assist on Thursday, while two additional units are on standby in Jordan. Reports of the fire potentially being ignited intentionally have been shared with authorities, heightening the urgency to combat the ongoing wildfires.
Throughout Europe, relentless heatwaves have contributed to wildfires, with neighboring countries like Greece and Turkey also facing similar challenges this summer. Cyprus, often plagued by wildfires during its hot weather months, witnessed a previous tragedy in 2021 when four Egyptian farm workers died in a related incident.
