Australian aircraft sent to Cyprus to fight fires during the summer season

GREECE WILDFIRE

EPA/ORESTIS PANAGIOTOU Credit: EPA

Get the SBS Audio app

Other ways to listen

Six additional aircraft will be added to the aerial firefighting fleet for the summer season in Cyprus, four from Australia and two from Latin America.


Speaking to CyBC Radio earlier in the week, the Minister of Agriculture, Maria Panayiotou, said that six aircraft are rented for the summer season, four from Australia and two from Latin America and they’re expected to arrive in the island nation in the coming weeks.

She added that her department is in communication with other neighbouring countries to support in a fire emergency if needed, by supplying additional resources.

Panayiotou also took the opportunity to thank the firefighters for their contribution to the brigade.

Following criticism on firefighters from the publics, the association of firefighters (Sypyk) said that “on the occasion of people’s allegations of obstruction and inconsistency on the part of the Fire Service during the recent fires in the Limassol District and specifically in Agios Sylas, it expresses its sympathy and support to the victims and underlines that the primary objective and duty of every firefighter in every operation is to save lives and protect the property of citizens”.

from SBS Greek

Share