Tseri firing range to close, defence minister says

Tseri, Cyprus. The Tseri firing range is set to close, Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas said on Friday, without specifying when operations would cease. He said the “countdown” to its closure had begun.

Kalo Chorio concerns

Palmas said residents near the Kalo Chorio firing range had requested its relocation, particularly following the recent wildfire, but added that this was not currently possible.

The defence ministry has pledged to cover damage caused by the wildfire.

Unexploded shells

Two shells were found at the Kalo Chorio firing range during efforts to extinguish a fire in Ayia Anna. Palmas said residents’ concerns were understandable but described the reaction as partly exaggerated, noting that unexploded shells can be found at firing ranges.

He said the aim was to prevent such incidents as far as possible and to ensure unexploded ordnance was destroyed after each exercise.

Palmas reiterated that entry to firing ranges is prohibited and said a decision had been taken to establish a 24-hour guard post at the Kalo Chorio facility.

July wildfire

The Kalo Chorio range came under scrutiny after a fire broke out during the destruction of munitions in late July, prompting the evacuation of Ayia Anna and Psevdas.

The fire spread rapidly in dry conditions and burned about 120 hectares. The exercise involved US military personnel and members of the National Guard’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit, who destroyed warheads from RPG anti-tank rounds through controlled explosions.