Authorities in Cyprus discovered two bodies in a charred vehicle on Thursday following a devastating wildfire. This blaze consumed 38.6 square miles of forested terrain, destroyed multiple residences, and led to the evacuation of twelve villages on the southern flank of the island’s Troodos mountain range.
Initially, on Wednesday night, police had reported that Civil Defense teams found the body of one individual in the scorched vehicle along a main road that links the affected hillside villages.
But a second body was discovered early Thursday morning and police said identification efforts are ongoing.
Photos posted on social media purported to show the victims’ gutted vehicle on the shoulder of the main Monagri-Alassa road.
Fire Service Spokesman Andreas Kettis informed the state-controlled Cyprus News Agency that although there are no active fire fronts at the moment, firefighting teams are still contending with several flare-ups, with winds anticipated to intensify later in the day.
Up to 14 aircraft are resuming water drops over hard-to-reach areas.
Cyprus’ Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis told the state broadcaster that more than 100 people who were evacuated from fire-hit communities are being hosted in temporary shelters.
The fire forced the evacuation of 14 villages along a 8.7-mile stretch of mountainous terrain.
Media reports showed gutted homes smoldering as flames swept through the outskirts of some villages.
In the village of Lofou, at least 20 homes were destroyed as fires threatened a group of stranded evacuees whose police buses had to turn back as the fire front shifted to block their exit.
Images broadcast on media late Wednesday showed flames consuming trees, brush and other vegetation along a huge front burning bright orange against the backdrop of a nighttime sky.
Police continued to block road access to the fire-afflicted communities as area residents vented against what they called a disorganized response to the huge fire.
Government spokesman Constantinos Letymbiotis said Spain would be sending two fire-fighting aircraft Thursday morning to assist local crews.
Jordan is helping with two of its own helicopters, which had been deployed in Cyprus for firefighting.
An RAF Chinook helicopter that operates from one of two British Bases on Cyprus is also assisting.
Limassol Municipality and the local soccer club Apollonas offered apartments and a basketball court respectively to temporarily house evacuees.
Cyprus has been on high alert for fires this summer after three consecutive arid winters.
