Filenews 9 October 2021
In the framework of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Forests and the Institute of Cyprus, which concerns the continuous development of unmanned aerial systems technology – known as drones, in order to prevent and detect fires. During a test flight of an unmanned drone of the Cyprus Institute, which was conducted yesterday, by a drone operator of the Cyprus Institute, on the basis of a flight plan in an approved airspace for flights of unmanned aerial systems and with permission, footage was recorded showing a man, aged 70, disembarking from a vehicle and setting a fire in a rural area in Orounta.
After the drone approached the spot and after the 70-year-old realized his presence, he extinguished the fire before it spread, while the drone operator informed the Police and indicated the spot to the members of the local Peristerona Police Station.
The identification of the 70-year-old man who had lit the fire resulted from examinations that were then carried out by the members of the Police to investigate the case of lighting a fire in the countryside. The 70-year-old was called and presented at the Peristerona Police Station earlier today, where he confessed to lighting the fire. He was charged in writing and released to be summoned before a Court for trial.
The examinations of the Police at Peristeronas continue.
