A large fire broke out in the Limassol State Forest on Wednesday morning, causing extensive damage to the area.
The fire is believed to have been ignited by the detonation of explosives by technicians from the Mines Service within a quarry in the community of Monagrouli.
The decision to destroy explosives at the quarry, seemingly disregarding the high temperatures, humidity, and winds prevailing today, and without taking the necessary safety precautions, is being criticised as the cause of the disaster.
This practice of using the same quarry for explosives disposal has been in place for years, despite concerns about its safety.
According to philenews, sources close to the Minister of Agriculture, Maria Panayiotou, indicate her determination to launch an administrative investigation into the incident.
The Minister of Agriculture rushed to the scene of the fire, accompanied by the Director General of Agriculture and Rural Development, Andreas Gregoriou, upon learning that the blaze was raging out of control. She travelled to the site in a police car from the Kofinou station after her ministerial vehicle experienced mechanical problems.
The fire broke out at 9:50 a.m. and continues to burn. Strong ground firefighting forces, a Department of Forests firefighting aircraft, a police helicopter, and a British Bases helicopter are battling the blaze.
In the initial stages of the firefighting operation, only one aerial asset, the Department of Forests firefighting aircraft, was deployed.
Residents in the community of Vasa Kellakiou have been called to evacuate their homes.
Στη μάχη και πτητικά μέσα για κατάσβεση της πυρκαγιάς στη #Λεμεσός
— Αστυνομία Κύπρου (@Cyprus_Police) April 24, 2024
Πλήρωμα ελικοπτέρου της Μονάδας Αεροπορικών Επιχειρήσεων – #ΜΑΕΠ, συνδράμει στις προσπάθειες για κατάσβεση πυρκαγιάς στην ύπαιθρο, στην περιοχή Βάσα Κελλακίου#Cyprus #cypolice pic.twitter.com/k4B7eGTcDw
