Aa joint parliamentary session has examined the government’s handling of a deadly wildfire that swept through mountainous areas of Limassol in July, killing two people.
The five-hour meeting last week, attended by village leaders and members of the interior, agriculture, and environment committees, focused on coordination failures and emergency preparedness. According to Fileleftheros and other local outlets, officials faced scrutiny over delayed response times and the failure to activate evacuation protocols.
Police Chief Themistos Arnautis drew backlash after stating that the two victims had been warned but chose to enter the danger zone. Lawmakers condemned the remarks as “unacceptable and insensitive.”
Fire Chief Nikos Longinos maintained that the blaze, which began near the village of Malya, was the result of arson. He cited photos on his mobile phone showing cigarette butts at ignition points, despite a U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) report suggesting the fire may have started from discarded cigarettes.
Interior Minister Konstantinos Ioannou, referencing data from National Guard Commander Cicikostas, said the fire spread at a rate of 10 hectares per hour—four times faster than previous wildfires.
The newspaper Alithia ran a scathing headline accusing officials of “blaming the dead to cover their mistakes,” and reported that Parliament is preparing a report on political and institutional accountability. The outlet also criticized the government’s absence during the crisis, noting that citizens were left to manage evacuations and looting on their own.
Despite mounting criticism, no resignations have been announced. Officials have referred to the incident as part of a “new reality” of mega-fires, while President Nikos Christodoulides acknowledged “mistakes” without assigning blame.