Four people died as a huge fire raged in Cyprus gutting dozens of homes in one of the worst blazes on record.
The blaze, fanned by strong winds, affected at least 10 communities over more than 19 square miles in the foothills of the Troodos mountain range.
Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades told reporters the state would stand by and support all those affected.
He said: “Its one of the most destructive (fires) we have experienced, unfortunately, with victims.”
The area includes some of Cyprus’s most picturesque mountain villages.
Witnesses said slopes of lush pine or fruit orchards had been turned to smouldering black stumps on a barren grey landscape.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Farmer Andreas Costas, 70, said: “It will take them at least 10 years to grow back. How are we to survive?”
“It burnt everything,” Costa told state TV.
President Anastasiades said on Twitter “It is a tragedy,”
He described it as “the largest fire since 1974” when the island was divided after Turkey occupied its northern third.
The cause of the blaze remains unclear – but it comes as Cyprus recorded temperatures of up to 40C last week and there has been very little rain since mid-April.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Police said they are also questioning a 67-year-old person in connection with the blaze on suspicion of arson.
The victims were found dead close to Odou, a mountainous community north of the cities of Limassol and Larnaca.
Egypt’s foreign ministry said it had been informed by Cyprus authorities that the victims were Egyptians.
Witnesses said the victims were found a short distance from a vehicle which appeared to have crashed.
The European Commission, said firefighting planes had departed from Greece to battle the fire
and Italy was also planning to deploy aerial firefighters.
Israel also pledged to help and aircraft from British military bases in Cyprus also contributed.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The EU’s emergency Copernicus satellite was activated to provide damage assessment maps of the affected areas, the Commission said in a statement.
The cause of the fire, which started around midday on Saturday, was unclear.
Cyprus experiences high temperatures in the summer months, with temperatures in recent days exceeding 40C
Police said they were questioning a 67-year-old person in connection with the blaze.