Cyprus’ Civil Defense Force activated its emergency procedures Monday after receiving information from the National Guard and the administration of the British Bases regarding the drone incident near Akrotiri, officials said.
Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou and Civil Defense Commander Maria Papa told reporters that the force moved immediately once it received formal notification around 12:30 p.m.
“We can only act once we have official information from the military,” Papa said. “As soon as we received it, we activated our units. We went to Akrotiri at once, contacted local authorities — the mayor and deputy mayor — and then communicated with the British Bases through the Foreign Ministry.”
Preventive Measures and Citizen Support
Papa said that although authorities were informed there was no danger to residents in the Akrotiri area, Civil Defense issued precautionary guidance to local authorities and citizens. Those who wished to relocate temporarily were directed to the Limassol Recruit Training Center (KEN), where facilities were prepared to host them safely.
Civil Defense teams remained in the Akrotiri area “for preventive reasons and to assist any citizens who might need help,” she said. The force also coordinated with the Red Cross to ensure vehicles were available to transport people with disabilities or mobility challenges.
Papa emphasized that the National Guard and the British Bases consistently confirmed that the airspace was clear. “Everything we did was preventive,” she said.
Shelters and Public Guidance
Cyprus has roughly 2,500 public shelters — covering about 40–45% of the population — Papa said. Citizens can locate the nearest shelter through the SafeCY mobile app or by contacting the Civil Defense Crisis Control Center.
If no shelter is nearby, she said, people should remain indoors in a solid structure. If caught outside, they should lie on the ground or take cover in a ditch or trench. Alerts may be issued through sirens, local media, or other available channels.
Government Plans to Expand Shelter Capacity
Interior Minister Ioannou said Cyprus had long maintained shelter capacity for only about 30% of the population. “In this administration we decided to increase that number,” he said. “In the last two years we have raised it to 45%, reaching 2,500 shelters.”
He acknowledged resistance from private property owners but said the effort continues. Ioannou also highlighted simulation exercises held last March and additional drills planned for this year’s Civil Defense Month.
Next week, he said, the ministry will issue an order — following consultations with the Town Planning Department — allowing apartment buildings to include underground shelter space in exchange for additional building coefficients, creating incentives for private-sector participation.
Shelter maintenance remains the responsibility of each property owner, he added, though Civil Defense monitors their operational condition.
Early Warning System Expected by June
Ioannou said the national early‑warning system is essential for timely public alerts. After the initial tender was canceled due to appeals, specifications were redesigned and a new tender was issued in December 2024. The contract was awarded last September, with implementation scheduled for June.
“We are on schedule,” he said. “There was an issue with the telecom providers, but we believe it has been resolved. The June target remains achievable.”
Sirens and Local Notification
Asked about sirens in the Akrotiri area, Papa said installation requires time. Because sirens were not yet available there, Civil Defense officers and volunteers from the Limassol regional office notified residents in person. She added that neighborhood wardens also play a role in informing the public.
Civil Defense is in the process of acquiring a new siren system, which will operate alongside traditional communication channels and the forthcoming early‑warning system.
