Theopemptou on fires: "We suffered badly and didn't learn"

The Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Environment, Charalambos Theopemptou, expressed his disappointment at the lack of progress in preventing and dealing with fires in Cyprus. In statements to CNA, after a joint session of three Parliamentary Committees, he stressed that the same problems have been recurring for years, despite warnings and tragic lessons.

Mr. Theopemptou proposed immediate actions, such as cleaning up garbage dumps, removing combustible material near houses, and ensuring adequate water supply. He also referred to the need to re-evaluate the location of fire stations.

He pointed out the absence of preventive measures, the inadequate staffing of the Fire Service, and the insufficient use of available technology. He spoke of a lack of coordination and incorrect instructions during evacuations.

Mr. Theopemptou stressed that the responsibilities are multi-layered and distributed across many ministries, emphasizing the need for a unified and effective coordination mechanism.