The European Union on Saturday deployed air support to Cyprus to help extinguish a huge wildfire north of the cities of Limassol and Larnaca, a fire an official said was the worst on record.
Fires triggered by strong winds affected at least six communities in the foothills of the Troodos mountain range, an area of pine forest and dense vegetation.
The European Union’s executive, the European Commission, said firefighters had left Greece to put out the fire and Italy was also planning to deploy aerial firefighters.
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The EU’s emergency Copernicus satellite was also activated to provide damage assessment maps of the affected areas, the commission said in a statement.
“This is the worst wildfire in the history of Cyprus,” Charlambos Alexandro, director of the forestry department, told Cyprus’ Omega TV.
Efforts were being made to try and prevent the fire from crossing the mountains before reaching the pine forests and Machiras, one of the highest peaks in Cyprus.
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Alexandro said the circumference of the fire was “at least 40 kilometres”.
Dozens of properties were damaged, but no casualties were reported. There were widespread power cuts in the area. Plumes of smoke were visible in the capital Nicosia about 75 km (45 mi) away.
Officials said that apart from Greece’s help from the two planes, help was also expected from Israel.
Cyprus President Nikos Anastasiades tweeted: “This is a very difficult day for Cyprus. All state machinery is in gear, and priority is not to lose anyone.”
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Israel has accepted Nicosia’s plea for help, a statement from Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said, and will send firefighters to Cyprus on Sunday.
The cause of the fire, which started around 2 pm, is yet to be ascertained. Cyprus has experienced a heatwave this week, with temperatures exceeding 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). Police said they are questioning a 67-year-old man in connection with the fire.
“It went through like a tornado, it destroyed everything,” said Vasos Vasiliu, community leader of Arkapas, one of the affected communities.