Greece, Britain and Israel have sent planes and helicopters to Cyprus to help fight one of the biggest forest fires to hit the island in years.
Greece, Britain and Israel have sent planes and helicopters to Cyprus to help fight one of the biggest forest fires to hit the island in years.
The blaze broke out in the Troodos mountain region of the country and has been fanned by high winds and scorching temperatures.
The fire was mostly brought under control late on Monday.
The area hardest hit is covered by pine forest and fruit orchards.
The Cypriot president described the situation as “really tragic” and told reporters the damage is irreparable.
Cyprus-Israel-Greece cooperation
“This is part of the regional arrangement we have made with Cyprus and Greece about emergency assistance. I am pleased that we are able to extend this assistance,” Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said on Sunday (19 June).
Cyprus, Greece and Israel agreed to cooperate in several areas, including joint response to natural disasters, during a “trilateral conference“http://mfa.gov.il/MFA/PressRoom/2016/Pages/Trilateral-meeting-between-Israel-Greece-and-Cyprus-28-Jan-2016.aspx held in Cyprus earlier this year.
This is part of the regional arrangement we made with Cyprus and Greece about emergency assistance. I am pleased that we are able to assist.
— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) June 19, 2016