Police commented on the circumstances of the deaths in the Limassol mountains fire

On August 29, Cyprus Police Chief Themistos Arnaoutis stated in parliament that the two people who died in the recent fire in the Limassol mountainous area had been informed of a safe evacuation route, but, according to the head of the department, ignored the instructions and did not use this route.

The circumstances of the tragedy and the responsibility of service leaders are being discussed against the backdrop of public concern. According to some media and public representatives, making such statements publicly is inappropriate, as the deceased cannot respond to accusations, while questions about the actions of rescue services and their leadership remain relevant. To date, the officials responsible for coordinating evacuation and rescue operations have not assumed responsibility for what happened.

For the residents of Cyprus, this situation emphasizes the importance of information awareness and following civil protection service instructions during emergencies. Fires in Cyprus’s mountainous areas, according to police and emergency services, remain potentially dangerous due to weather conditions, so particular attention is given to the proper operation of emergency alerts and evacuation procedures. In case of similar emergencies, residents are advised to strictly follow instructions from official authorities.