In a wine-producing region north of Limassol, two people have died and hundreds have fled as a result of a devastating wildfire in southern Cyprus.
More than a dozen villages are in danger as a result of the fire, which broke out around noon on Wednesday.
Two victims were found trapped by the rapidly advancing inferno in a burned-out car, according to authorities. Two people are in critical condition, with at least ten others injured.
The fire’s intensity is being fueled by extreme weather, with temperatures reaching 44C (111.2F) on Thursday and a fever that reached 43 degrees Celsius (109.4 degrees Fahrenheit) on Wednesday. This is the year’s hottest day. Cont containment efforts have been severely hampered by strong, erratic winds.
A 14 km (8. 7 miles) stretch of mountainous terrain was mandated by the Ministry of Interior for immediate evacuations. Additionally, children were moved to safety at a campsite close to Lofou village. In addition to the region’s dense smoke, thick smoke covered the area, which also covered trees, vegetation, and homes that had been completely destroyed by flames.
President Nikos Christodoulides implored residents to follow evacuation orders when they arrived at the command center in Ayios Efraim.
13 aircraft and more than 250 firefighters are using their skills to combat the horde. A British RAF Chinook based in Cyprus is providing additional support, while Jordan has sent two helicopters.
Officials have not been able to identify the cause of the fire, but they did point out that gusty, unpredictable winds had a significant impact on how it spread.
The largest island reservoir in Cyprus, Kouris, is only 15.5% full, adding to the environmental crisis. Cyprus is also experiencing severe drought.
Source: Aljazeera
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