Fireworks banned in Cyprus

All types of fireworks are strictly prohibited indefinitely across all territories of Cyprus. The reason for this is several forest fires that occurred, partly due to the use of pyrotechnics.

Following a series of forest fires, the Mines and Quarries Service of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment has begun to revoke all permits issued for the use of fireworks and has also refused to issue new permits.

It is worth recalling that in recent days, several major forest fires have occurred in Cyprus. This includes the vicinity of the village of Kouklia in the Paphos area. The fire broke out on Wednesday shortly after 20:00. According to preliminary data, the fire started after a 49-year-old man unsuccessfully launched a firework. The fire destroyed between four to five hectares of meadows and wild vegetation.

Assistant operational director of the Paphos Police, Michalis Nicolaou, stated that the suspect obtained a license to launch fireworks from a hotel in this area. The police have evidence that his firework caused the forest fire. The man has already been arrested.

In addition, earlier, the authorities of Limassol announced the preliminary cause of a major forest fire that broke out on Wednesday morning in the village of Parekklisia.

According to preliminary investigation data, the cause of the fire was human-related. The fire started after the improper disposal of confiscated smoke bombs and signal rockets, which is regularly carried out in a nearby quarry. During the disposal of pyrotechnics, one of the rockets ignited the vegetation.