Blazes hit Limassol: building, motorcycle, caf, é damaged
Fact: The building affected by the fire in Limassol was abandoned, and the fire caused extensive damage to its walls.
Fact: The building affected by the fire in Limassol was abandoned, and the fire caused extensive damage to its walls.
Three teenagers, two 14-year-olds and one 16-year-old, were remanded by the Larnaca district court for one day to assist in police investigations related to a case in Kiti involving malicious damage, conspiracy to commit a crime, public disturbance, unlawful assembly, rioting, theft, and illegal possession of explosive material.
A group of 70 youths attacked the home of a 73-year-old Briton in the Kiti area of Larnaca, setting off fireworks, causing fires, and damaging the property. The incident occurred after the youths were reported to be causing a disturbance by burning a bonfire pile. Police and Fire Service were called to the scene to control the situation and the youths also targeted the authorities with firecrackers before fleeing the scene.
Firefighters in Cyprus responded to 120 blazes in the last 24 hours, as residents lit traditional “lampratzia” bonfires. The fires were in different locations but were successfully contained, preventing serious damage to property and infrastructure.
Police in Cyprus responded to various incidents over the Easter weekend, including public nuisance complaints, firework and cracker offenses, and instances of youth delinquency. They collaborated with the Fire Service to tackle fires and confiscate illegal fireworks and crackers, with no reported injuries. Several individuals were arrested for possession of fireworks and crackers, including a 19-year-old in Nicosia, a 42-year-old woman with her child, a 49-year-old man with his child in Larnaca, and a 21-year-old man in Paphos. The most significant incident occurred in Kiti village, where youths caused a disturbance with a bonfire and set off crackers towards officers and a resident’s house, prompting Fire Service intervention. Despite police efforts to secure the area, the youths returned to cause further damage before fleeing.
Vrontados in Chios held its annual Easter rocket war tradition, where rival teams launched thousands of rockets in a spectacular display for 20,000 spectators. Volunteers ensured the event ran smoothly, with the Fire Service putting out minor fires and police managing traffic. The tradition ends with the cleanup of spent rocket casings until the next rocket war in 2025.
The Fire Service is urging the public and relevant services in Cyprus to remove piles of wood and useless materials that have accumulated for bonfires, as strong winds increase the risk of fires spreading horizontally and causing damage to structures, infrastructure, and people.
Strong winds across Cyprus pose a risk to homes, infrastructure, and human lives during the traditional bonfire on Easter Saturday.
A large fire broke out near the village of Kouklia in the Ha Potami area of the Paphos district.