Four people have been killed in Cyprus as wildfire on the forest | European News

Hundreds of firefighters and several firefighters were set on fire for a second day in the Troodos Mountains.

Four people have been found dead in a massive fire that engulfed Cyprus for a second day, setting ablaze forests and wildfires known to be the worst.

The blaze, driven by strong winds, affected at least 10 areas over 50 square kilometers (19 square miles) and destroyed several homes along the Troodos Mountains, the pine mountain range and the green shrubland.

The suspects, believed to be Egyptian nationals and agricultural workers, were found dead near Odou, in the mountainous region north of the cities of Limassol and Larnaca.

“All indications are that four people have been missing since yesterday,” Foreign Minister Nicos Nouris said on Sunday.

“We have been facing the most devastating fire since the founding of the Republic of Cyprus in all its perils, and unfortunately in terms of human lives,” Nouris said.

Nouris said firefighters and ground crews were focusing on the two burning areas between the villages of Odou and Vavatsinia. He also said the authorities “have a good hope” that they will continue to fire, but the strong wings expected in broad daylight could thwart attempts.

He said 36 evacuees had been taken to a hotel in Nicosia’s capital, where food and water were being provided to residents of Melini village.

Millions of firefighters and 11 firefighters have been battling to put out fires, the state-run RIK radio said.

The European Commission (EU) says firefighters have flown out of Greece to fight the blaze. Italy and Israel are also reportedly sending firefighters to help Cyprus.

Copernicus’ EU emergency satellite was also assisted in providing a map of the damage to the affected areas, the Commission said in a statement.

“It’s the worst forest in the history of Cyprus,” Charalambos Forestry Director Alexandrou told Omega TV in Cyprus.

He tried to prevent fires from crossing the mountains and stopping them before reaching Machairas, a pine forest and one of the highest mountains in Cyprus.

The cause of the fire, which began on Saturday afternoon, is not immediately clear. Cyprus experiences extreme heat and drought in the summer months, in recent days temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit (104 Fahrenheit).

Police say they are questioning a 67-year-old man about a fire.