Larnaca, Cyprus. Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas said there was no active front in a fire that broke out at a firing range near Kalo Chorio, while police closed the road between Kalo Chorio and Psevdas.
Investigation ordered
Palmas said he had ordered an investigation to establish the circumstances in which the fire began.
He said responsibility lay with the 70th engineers’ battalion, adding that those responsible would be identified.
Live firing drill
Temperatures in the area had reached 40 degrees Celsius, Palmas said, while heavy weapons explosions are prohibited during the summer months.
He said the battalion had conducted a live firing drill and that the investigation would examine why missiles were launched.
Palmas said the incident had not threatened human lives or destroyed property, but described the outcome as tragic.
Damage and responsibility
Although there was no active fire front, Palmas said he did not wish to downplay damage caused to surrounding areas and promised that all available measures would be applied.
He said the battalion should have consulted higher levels in the chain of command before launching live weaponry and said developments were expected within days.
Palmas said neither the president nor the defence minister should be held responsible for the incident, while adding that he would assume responsibility if issues of political responsibility were raised.
Fire spread
The fire broke out at around 12.30pm at the firing range and spread north-west towards the nearby village of Ayia Anna.
