Death of Two Children in Xylophagou: Experts Found a Fault in the Car Door

An expert examination revealed the cause of the deaths of two children from Bulgaria in a locked car in the village of Xylophagou. Due to a technical defect, one of the rear doors would not lock with the central locking system, so the boys, aged eight and ten, were able to easily climb inside while playing. However, they were unable to get back out: the child safety lock engaged, securing the handles from the inside. The children spent more than three hours in the cabin and suffocated.

The British base court in Dhekelia arrested the father of the deceased boys and his partner for three days on suspicion of negligence. The boys had come for a holiday, but on the day of the tragedy they were left at home alone without adult supervision. The local community is organizing a fundraiser to send the children’s bodies back to their homeland.