Firefighting Efforts Continue Near Paphos: Five Villages Evacuated, Three Injured

The battle against a large forest fire in the Paphos region continues. Firefighters worked through the night to contain the blaze. Five villages have been evacuated, and three people have been injured.

Early this morning, firefighting efforts resumed with renewed vigor. Firefighters are currently battling two active fronts to contain the fire, which has spread to hard-to-reach areas, necessitating the evacuation of five villages. Additional aerial support is arriving from other countries.

Two Greek Canadair planes have already landed in Paphos. Another two Royal Jordanian Air Force planes, requested by President Nikos Christodoulides, will arrive during the day. This will bring the total number of aircraft involved in the firefighting efforts to ten.

Smoke from the fire is visible from more than 15 km away. Aerial firefighting operations began at 6:30 AM. They were prepared to start an hour earlier, but heavy fog delayed them.

The large forest fire broke out east of the Giolou community in the Paphos area yesterday afternoon. Homes and cottage settlements were at risk. Due to intense heat, the fire quickly spread across the area.

Residents of the villages of Polemi, Psathi, Lemonas, Choulou, and Kourtouki had to be evacuated, and other communities are on standby in case the fire spreads.

Three holiday homes were completely destroyed. Six other homes, as well as farmland and livestock buildings, have also been damaged.

It is known that three people have been injured in the fire. An 82-year-old man fell into a pool. Besides him, two others with minor injuries were taken to the hospital.

Justice Minister Marios Kharziotis, speaking late Tuesday evening from the coordination center in Ayios Dimitrianos, stated that the situation had significantly improved, although it is not yet fully under control.

According to the fire chief, the fire started in a hard-to-reach area about 3 km from Polemi. A witness testified that the fire began at an illegal dump site.