Discussion on Cancelling Carnival After Tragic Fire in Limassol

Following a horrific fire in Limassol that claimed the lives of a family of five—including three children—local residents have called for the cancellation or postponement of this year’s carnival as a mark of mourning. However, the mayor has stated that there is no reason to cancel the annual event.

The tragedy, which led to the deaths of an entire family, has sparked widespread discussion on social media. Many have proposed different theories about the cause of the fire, and there are calls to either delay or cancel the carnival events this year to honor the victims.

In a statement released by the Limassol Municipality on Monday morning, the city's ongoing housing issues and the support being extended to the surviving relatives of the victims were acknowledged. However, the statement did not mention the carnival.

In an interview with OMEGAlive, Mayor Yiannis Armeftis emphasized that the Limassol Carnival is more than just an entertainment event—it's an essential part of the city’s culture and traditions.

The mayor pointed out that many people began preparing for this significant celebration as far back as last year, which makes the cancellation difficult. He also remarked, “Respect for the memory of the bereaved family can coexist with respect for the traditions of the city.”

As such, the mayor made it clear that the carnival will proceed as planned, despite the tragedy.

For context, the devastating incident occurred last Saturday in Limassol, where a fire in a residential building in Agios Nikolaos tragically took the lives of five people—three children and their parents.