Two die in car during Cyprus wildfire as 44C heat expected
Officials Report
The incident occurred after a 44-degree Celsius heat wave hit the region.
What happened
The wildfire in the community of Limnatis, in the Cypriot district of Famagusta, killed two people in a car yesterday afternoon. The victims, a woman in her sixties and a man in his thirties, were unable to escape the blaze that erupted after a dry vegetation fire collided with their vehicle.
Extreme Weather Warning
A extreme weather warning had been issued earlier in the day, as the temperature in parts of the island had reached 44 Celsius, creating tinderbox conditions.
Emergency Services React
The Cyprus Forestry Department and local fire departments rushed to the scene to help contain the fire, which had already burned a significant area of dry wildland.
Public Warning
The incident is a stark reminder of the dangers of extreme weather, as well as the importance of following evacuation orders and taking wildfires seriously, officials said in a public statement.
