Ayia Anna, Cyprus. The head of the Ayia Anna community has blamed the defence ministry for Monday’s wildfire, which spread from the Kalo Chorio firing range, and renewed calls for the military training area to be relocated.
The defence ministry has launched an investigation into the incident, while Disy has called for parliament to examine the circumstances of the blaze, including safety protocols and the operation of the CyAlert emergency warning system.
Community leader’s claims
Ayia Anna community leader Anastasis Georgiou told the Cyprus Mail that responsibility for the fire lies with the defence ministry because it oversees the firing range.
“The firing range is under the defence ministry, so they have the responsibility,” he said.
“This is not an isolated incident. It happened under their instructions. This is the third year this has happened.”
Georgiou described the situation around the firing range as “very serious”, claiming that military projectiles had repeatedly landed within the community.
“Shells fall into the village; shells have even landed at the school,” he said.
He also alleged that fires are allowed to burn within the firing range so military exercises can continue after vegetation has been cleared.
“They let the fire burn through the firing range so they can continue their exercises. When a fire starts at noon and by 2pm you still haven’t managed to extinguish it, that means something is not right.”
Response and investigation
The wildfire prompted a major response from firefighters, civil defence volunteers and local residents.
The defence ministry confirmed that it had opened an investigation into the incident. Disy called for parliamentary scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding the fire, including whether safety procedures were followed and whether the CyAlert emergency warning system functioned properly.
