Raging Wildfire in Southern Cyprus: Lives Lost and Communities Threatened

A ferocious wildfire has torn through southern Cyprus, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Two lives have been claimed, with hundreds evacuated as their homes lay in ruins. Communities in the region are reeling from the severity of the blaze, driven by an intense heatwave that shows no signs of abating.

Spanning at least 100 square kilometers, the fire devastated the wine-producing area north of Limassol, with many points of ignition still active. First responders discovered two victims trapped in a vehicle, their fates sealed by the rapidly advancing fire. The blaze has also left at least ten others injured, two suffering severe wounds.

With dawn breaking over a scorched landscape, firefighting aircraft returned to the skies after a nighttime hiatus. The origins of this inferno remain undetermined, as Cyprus battles its hottest spell of the year, with temperatures soaring to 44 degrees Celsius. Desperation has set in as the nation appeals for international aid amid a dire water crisis.

(With inputs from agencies.)