Aircraft from Greece, Jordan, and Australia are assisting Cypriot authorities in combating a large wildfire in the southwestern Paphos region, which officials believe started from an illegal landfill.
The fire broke out Tuesday near the village of Giolou, leading to the evacuation of five mountain villages under a national emergency plan.
Two air tractors from the Royal Jordanian Air Force and two planes from Greece were deployed Wednesday to fight the blaze in rugged terrain. Australian aircraft also joined the effort. Fire service spokesman Andreas Kettis announced that the fire was subsiding but emphasised the ongoing risk of rekindling.
Cyprus activated the European Union fire assistance protocol for additional help. Fire service chief Nicos Logginos reported that seven aircraft, including two Canadair planes from Greece, were operating over active fire fronts. Due to harsh terrain, ground forces struggled to reach the area, with over 300 personnel, including fire crews and bulldozer operators, working to secure the perimeter.
President Nikos Christodoulides returned early from a Gaza aid summit in Jordan to visit the crisis control centre. During a meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan, he requested additional aerial support for Paphos. Residents criticised the slow response, blaming it for extensive damage to homes. Wildfires are common in Cyprus during the summer, with recent temperatures reaching a record 44 degrees Celsius.
Read more: Wildfires
(Source: AFP)
