Police Chief: Fire Victims Were Informed of Safe Route But Ignored It

The two people who lost their lives in the recent deadly fires in mountainous Limassol had been informed of the safe route they should have taken, but ignored it, according to a statement by the Chief of Police, Themistoklis Arnaoutis, before parliamentary committees.

Mr. Arnaoutis stated that the matter is being investigated by the Limassol TAE and is in its final stage. "From the examinations so far, it is concluded that the couple departed from Sylikou at 19:55. They were informed to follow the Trimiklini road to Agios Mamas, they ignored it and went towards Alassa," he said.

According to the Chief, the road they followed closed at 20:05. In contrast, the remaining residents of the village were safely led out of the area.

In response to a question from the Chairman of the Interior Committee, MP of AKEL, Aristos Damianou, Mr. Arnaoutis confirmed that the deceased had been informed about the dangerous route they chose.

The Police Chief added that no testimony emerged regarding an asymmetric threat and that 13 pieces of information regarding the fire were investigated, without securing testimony against any person.

Finally, he suggested a revision of the PYRSOS plan and a joint investigation team of Police and Fire Service for future incidents.