Filenews 13 October 2025 - by Natasha Christoforou
The two vehicles that got stuck since last Wednesday when a driver entered the salt lake and the second rushed to help him remain trapped for the fifth day in the Larnaca salt lake. Eventually, due to the rains of the previous days, both vehicles got stuck, with yesterday's rains making their removal work even more difficult.
The owners were fined €2,000 by the competent services, however they will pay even more dearly for their illegal action, since they are also required to bear the costs of freeing the vehicles. After consultation with the competent services, it was decided that the project of freeing the vehicles would be undertaken by the Municipality of Larnaca, which requested the assistance of a private company that has large cranes.
As the mayor of Larnaca, Andreas Vyras, told Filenews, the company informed that it has a special crane with long ropes that could help, however, it will take a period of two to three days to make it possible to remove the vehicles, which will cost... €5.000. "I told them that the Municipality will undertake to remove the vehicles, however, the cost will have to be borne by their owners," indicated Mr. Vyras, noting that the operation is particularly difficult and expressed the hope that it will succeed.
It is recalled that last Friday the Municipality of Larnaca, the Department of Environment and the Game Service, through a joint announcement, had expressed strong concern about the illegal entry of vehicles into the protected wetland, reminding that 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, of paramount importance for wildlife and in particular for the waterfowl it hosts.
"Since 1997, it has been under a regime of strict protection under national and European legislation," the announcement notes and indicates that any activity that may directly or indirectly affect the ecosystem, species or habitats of the species, is an offense according to 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.
"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," it added.
The Municipality of Larnaca, the Department of Environment and the Game and Fauna Service emphasize that such behaviours that affect our natural heritage are not acceptable and all Authorities in cooperation should impose the sanctions and corrective actions provided by law to prevent a similar incident from happening again.
