Filenews 15 October 2025 - by Natasha Christoforou
An operation by the Municipality of Larnaca has been underway since 7 am, through a crane of a private company, to remove the two vehicles that got stuck in the Larnaca Salt Lake since last Wednesday.
The company mobilized a special vehicle with long ropes which they tied to the cars located about 400 meters away.
So far, it is unknown if the operation will be crowned with success due to the mud that exists in Aliki.
The operation to free the vehicles is expected to last hours and is carried out with obstacles, since during the movement of the first vehicle it got stuck again.
According to the Municipality of Larnaca, these will be transported to its warehouses and their drivers will be asked to pick them up after paying the costs of the business.
The private company informed the Municipality that the process is expected to cost from €5 to €8,000.
It is recalled that initially one driver entered the Salt Lake, whose car got stuck in the mud. He then notified a second driver in order to help him get out. However, the second car was also immobilized in Aliki.
The Deputy Mayor of Larnaca, Jason Iasonidis, reported on state radio that the first driver told employees in the Municipality of Larnaca that he entered the Salt Lake in order to take better photos of the sunset.
It is noted that the Game Fund has already imposed a fine of €2,000 on the first driver for an intervention / damaging activity that degraded the habitat, under the Protection and Management of Wild Birds and Game Laws.
It is recalled that according to an announcement by the Municipality of Larnaca, the Larnaca Salt Lake "is one of the most important natural treasures of Cyprus and is part of the NATURA 2000 Network and the Ramsar Treaty, with great importance for wildlife and especially for the waterfowl it hosts. Since 1997 it has been under strict protection under national and European legislation."
It is added that "any activity that may directly or indirectly affect the ecosystem, species or habitats of the species, is an offence under the Protection and Management of Nature and Wildlife Laws of 2003 to 2015 and the Protection and Management of Wild Birds and Game Laws of 2003 to 2021".
However, the announcement concludes "despite repeated suggestions, information campaigns and signage in the area, some continue to ostentatiously ignore the rules and take unacceptable actions that endanger the ecosystem of the salt lake".
