The fire, which spans an area of approximately 100 square kilometers in a wine-producing district north of the city, has destroyed homes and threatens several villages. At least 14 firefighting aircraft are currently battling the flames.
The fire raging in Cyprus
(Video: Reuters)
Cyprus has requested assistance from the European Union. Planes from Spain and additional support from Jordan are expected to arrive in the coming hours.
The fire comes amid an intense heat wave sweeping across the island, with temperatures reaching 43°C yesterday. A severe heat warning remains in effect, with forecasts predicting highs of 44°C today—the hottest temperature recorded this year so far.
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Cypriot authorities said the two fatalities were found dead in a burned-out vehicle after being trapped by the flames. Ten others were injured, two of them seriously.
At dawn this morning, a bright red glow was seen over Limassol as firefighters resumed efforts to contain the blaze. Strong and shifting winds are making the battle against the flames even more difficult.
Authorities say it's too early to determine the full scale of the damage or the cause of the fire.
The wildfire broke out during a prolonged drought that has pushed Cyprus’s water reserves to dangerously low levels. The affected area lies just north of the Kouris Dam, the island’s largest water reservoir, which as of yesterday was only 15.5% full.