Filenews 14 April 2025
The operational mobilization of the Police in view of Holy Week is in full swing, with the main goal of preventing and strictly monitoring the ban on the use of firecrackers and fireworks. As stated by the Police Pyrotechnician, Paris Kyriakou, the phenomenon is treated with particular seriousness, as the risks to public safety are increased.
Kyriakou warned that regardless of whether they are factory-made or improvised firecrackers, they are "extremely dangerous" objects, stressing that "the chances of serious injury are very high".
As he said, the Police have launched a relevant awareness and control campaign for about two months, with the actions intensifying during Holy Week, when there is an increase in the use of illegal firecrackers.
As he said, the campaign included appearances in the media, posts in NGOs, dozens of lectures of the sector in schools (elementary, middle school, high schools and technical schools), "with the sole aim of keeping young people away from this dangerous and explosive habit".
He added that the corps has intensified patrols in prone open spaces, such as parks, churches and schools, "and where there is information that young people are gathering and making use of these dangerous objects," as well as at the legal entrances of the Republic, from where the firecrackers, as he said, enter "camouflaged", as well as at illegal entrances, such as the ceasefire line.
He added that to date, 11 people, all adults, have been charged and brought to justice for illegal use of firecrackers.
"As you can understand, this week there will be an even greater intensification of patrols outside holy churches, culminating on the day of the procession of the Epitaph and the feast of the Resurrection, most churches in the country, both in the cities and in the countryside, will be policed," he noted.
Mr. Kyriakou stressed that the most important information that the public should know is that firecrackers are divided into improvised and factory, characterizing both as "extremely dangerous".
"All firecrackers are prohibited in the Republic of Cyprus, their importation, transport and use is prohibited, as well as their storage," he said.
Therefore, he added, "during the storage of explosives, the regulations are not followed, resulting in alterations that are not visible and the one who tries to light a firecracker, thinking that he has time to light the wick, throw away the firecracker and move away, this time is practically eliminated".
"The result is an immediate and violent explosion in the palms and near the body and eyes, leading to serious injuries, such as burns, amputations, and even death," he said.
He added that improvisations are also extremely dangerous, with the risk starting from the conception of the brewing idea, the selection and mixing of materials, to their placement inside a container, the way the container is closed, the firing and so on.
"There are so many unpredictable factors that the chances of serious injury are very high," he concluded.
CNA
