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A massive forest fire in Cyprus has killed at least four people, destroyed homes and forced evacuation of villages as Greece, Israel and other countries sent firefighting planes to the Mediterranean island.
The fire broke out on Saturday and has passed through the southern states of the Troodos Mountains as the country battles the heat waves.
“It’s a tragedy,” President Nicos Anastasiades said on Twitter, calling it “the biggest fire since 1974”.
The blaze has resulted in “loss of life” and destruction of forests and forests, Anastasiades said, adding that “the government will provide immediate assistance to those affected and the families of those affected.”
“We will not spare anyone who will be spared in the destruction of the fire.”
Firefighters did well to put out the blaze on Sunday morning, officials said, warning that strong winds could reactivate.
In areas where fires were lit, precious trees were seen on the mountain, where white ash replaced yellow to the naked eye.
Large trunks of old olive trees, a symbol of holidaymaking, turned into incense.
Firefighters were seen on the road leading to the village of Vavatsinia, near the city of Larnaca, and several helicopters stood at the fire as black smoke billowed into the sky.
Janez Lenarcic, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, said on Saturday “their firefighting capabilities” have been set up, with Italy and Greece sending planes to help.
Britain, which has troops in Cyprus, has sent two search and rescue helicopters and is helping to deploy Cypriot aircraft.
“We stand shoulder to shoulder with the Republic of Cyprus as we work together to address this issue,” said British Forces Cyprus Major General Rob Thomson.
Cyprus has been experiencing severe heat and drought in recent years.
In recent days, temperatures have risen to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit[104 ° C]inside and there has been very little rainfall since mid-April.
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