Ranger Falls into Acidic Mine Shaft Near Buffer Zone in Cyprus While Fleeing Armed Poachers

A ranger in a village near Nicosia, Cyprus, fell into a 100-meter-deep abandoned mine shaft while attempting to escape from three armed poachers. The incident occurred at the "Foukassas" mine in Katidate, an area located close to the buffer zone.

According to the police, on December 22, around noon, a patrol from the Game and Wildlife Service noticed three men with dogs at the excavation site of the mine, which is part of a designated hunting-free zone.

One of the rangers instructed the men to present their identification for inspection, but instead of complying, the poachers fled. During the ensuing chase, the ranger closed in on them, getting to within 20-25 meters. At that point, the poachers aimed their hunting rifles at him. In his attempt to escape, the ranger lost his footing and fell into the 100-meter-deep shaft, which contained water mixed with acid.

Fortunately, the ranger managed to stop himself mid-fall and called out for help. The shift supervisor immediately alerted emergency services, including the fire department, police, and paramedics. The rescue operation lasted several hours.

Initially, rescuers attempted to pull the ranger out using ropes, but this was deemed impossible due to the unstable ground and the shaft’s location. As a result, a police helicopter was dispatched to the scene. A rescuer equipped with specialized gear was lowered into the shaft and was able to assist the ranger in getting out safely. The ranger was then transported by ambulance to Nicosia General Hospital.

The ranger has undergone a series of medical examinations, and while his condition is stable, his life is no longer at risk. The police and Game and Wildlife Service are working together to track down and apprehend the armed poachers responsible for the incident.