Israel Joins Firefighting Effort as Deadly Blaze Devastates Cyprus

On Thursday, Israel announced that it would dispatch aircraft from its Air Force to Cyprus to assist in combating a massive wildfire that has ravaged parts of the island.

The fire, which began on Wednesday afternoon in the village of Malia, located in the hills above Limassol, has caused extensive damage and claimed at least two lives.

According to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has maintained constant communication with his Cypriot counterpart, Constantinos Kombos, to ensure the swift coordination and deployment of assistance.

“Israel stands in solidarity with Cyprus, a close neighbor and ally, and is dedicated to providing support in times of crisis,” the ministry stated.

Local Cypriot authorities confirmed that two bodies were discovered inside a burned-out vehicle, believed to have been engulfed by the fire.

The victims’ identities have not yet been released.

Expressing the government’s condolences, spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis mourned the tragic loss, calling it a “deep sorrow for the nation.”

Letymbiotis described the ongoing wildfire emergency as “unprecedented,” citing numerous simultaneous outbreaks across the country.

In response, he announced a range of relief efforts to support affected communities.

Cyprus has also received international assistance in fighting the fires.

Spain contributed two firefighting planes on Thursday morning, while Jordan sent two helicopters already stationed on the island for fire response.

The United Kingdom also provided aerial support, deploying an RAF Chinook helicopter from one of its sovereign bases in Cyprus.

The health impact has been significant. Two individuals suffered serious burns and are being treated in hospital, while 16 others sustained less severe injuries.

Fire authorities report that the blaze has devastated roughly 100 square kilometers (nearly 40 square miles) of land, though as of the latest updates, there are no active fire fronts, only flare-ups that continue to pose challenges.

Fire service spokesperson Andreas Kettis noted that more than 250 firefighters and 75 emergency vehicles have been mobilized to contain the blaze.

Temperatures on the island have soared to a sweltering 44°C (111°F), prompting the government to issue an extreme heat alert.

The wildfires have triggered the evacuation of 14 villages along a mountainous 14-kilometer (8.7-mile) stretch.

Approximately 106 individuals were forced to spend the night in temporary shelters.

Heartbreaking scenes have emerged from the village of Lofou, where at least 20 homes were destroyed.

In one distressing incident, a group of evacuees had to retreat after flames cut off their escape route, forcing police buses to turn back.

Eyewitness accounts paint a grim picture. “When I walked into my home, I saw the valley and mountains engulfed in flames,” said Antonis Christou, a resident of Kandou.

“I cried because people were burned, someone even died inside their car.”

Authorities suspect foul play may have been involved in the fire’s origin.

Fire service chief Nikos Longinos shared that witness statements have been handed over to the police, suggesting the fire might have been intentionally started.

Images from late Wednesday revealed the full scale of the disaster, with bright orange flames lighting up the night sky and devouring trees, brush, and homes.

The devastation is reminiscent of previous disasters; in 2021, a fire in the Larnaca district of Cyprus claimed the lives of four Egyptian agricultural workers.

Wildfires are an all-too-frequent occurrence in Cyprus, particularly during the island’s prolonged summer season, which is characterized by intense heat and dry conditions.

However, this latest blaze ranks among the most destructive in recent memory.

As the situation continues to unfold, the cooperation between Cyprus and international partners, including Israel, underscores the importance of regional solidarity in times of environmental crisis.

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