Pyla, Cyprus. The fire service will carry out inspections along the buffer zone to identify potential fire hazards and ensure necessary clean-up works are carried out, fire service spokesman Andreas Kettis said on Friday. He said the inspections are intended to identify vulnerable areas and support measures to protect homes and properties in government-controlled areas.
Inspection campaign
Kettis said the fire service had launched a campaign to inspect the buffer zone, similar to inspections being conducted in communities across Cyprus. He said the aim was to identify vulnerable areas and request the competent authorities to carry out necessary clean-up operations, including rubbish removal and vegetation clearance.
Risk of fire spread
Kettis warned that fires breaking out in the north could spread southwards, posing a risk to homes and residents near the buffer zone.
Detention incident in Pyla
His remarks came a day after a Greek Cypriot firefighter was arrested by the Turkish Cypriot police in the buffer zone of Pyla on Thursday.
The firefighter had reportedly entered the area accompanied by United Nations police officers to assess conditions ahead of planned clean-up works.
During the inspection, Turkish Cypriot authorities allegedly stopped the firefighter and the UN officers, detained the firefighter, and took him to Pergamos without issuing an official statement explaining the reasons for the detention.
Buffer zone arrangements
The incident took place within the UN-administered buffer zone, where access and operations are subject to specific arrangements coordinated by the UN peacekeeping force.