FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE — Wildfires that devastated Cyprus’ Limassol province earlier this month have scorched an estimated 104 square kilometers, according to a revised satellite analysis released Wednesday by the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence at the Cyprus University of Technology.
The new calculation — based on high-resolution satellite imagery and cloud-free data — provides the most accurate assessment to date, using an advanced forest fire monitoring tool developed in collaboration with the Forest Management and Remote Sensing Laboratory at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the company GEOSYSTEMS HELLAS.
The blaze, described by officials as one of the most destructive in Cyprus’ modern history, destroyed over 30 homes and damaged dozens more across villages including Souni, Lofou, Vouni and Vasa Koilaniou. At least ten people were injured, and two elderly residents died while attempting to flee the flames.
More than 500 electricity pylons and 50 transformers were damaged, leading to widespread outages. Temperatures exceeded 44 degrees Celsius (111 Fahrenheit) during the peak of the fire, which spread rapidly under dry conditions and gusty winds.
The fire also tore through protected Natura 2000 zones, with long-term ecological impacts still being assessed. Investigators are probing suspected arson near landfill sites as a potential cause.
Authorities activated the national “Ikaros II” emergency plan, coordinating evacuation efforts across a dozen villages. Firefighting teams were supported by 14 aircraft from Spain, Israel, Jordan, Greece and the United Kingdom.
International aid efforts have mobilized to support displaced residents and rebuild damaged infrastructure. Officials have called for strengthened fire prevention strategies amid growing climate-related risks across the Mediterranean.