Filenews 10 September 2023
The large fire that broke out yesterday in an area of the village of Akrounta in Limassol continues to rage out of control. With the first light of day, aerial firefighting equipment began dropping water into the burning forest. The plans Icarus 2 and Hephaestus were activated.
According to the Department of Forests, by decision of the Minister of Agriculture Petros Xenophontos, following a recommendation by the Director of the Department of Forests, the Special National Plan Hephaestus was activated, which provides for the convening of the Ministerial Crisis Management Group at the Zenon Coordination Center, which has been in progress since 7.30 in the morning, with the aim of dealing with large forest fires.
The Ministerial Group consists of the Ministers of Defence, Foreign Affairs, Interior, Transport and Agriculture and the Minister of Justice.
With the first light of day, Plan Icarus II concerning aircraft operations was reactivated. From 6.00 in the morning the aerial means are trying to extinguish the fire. The Republic of Cyprus submitted a request to the European rescEU Mechanism for the assistance of 2 Canadair aircraft, which was accepted by Italy.
During the night, firefighting teams battled the flames, concentrating their efforts on fighting the fire on its two largest fronts, east in the Kakomalli forest and west in Kyparissia.
The fire started a few minutes after 13.00 on Saturday and spread to the state forest between the villages of Akrounta and Dierona. Members of the police are investigating the circumstances under which the fire was caused.
CNA
