ABTA said it has not had to assist in any evacuation efforts after wildfires broke out in the Paphos and Limassol districts of Cyprus yesterday (24 July).
A spokesperson told Travel Gossip: “Due to their location, there was no need to assist in any potential evacuation of ABTA members’ customers as they were not affected.”
Jet2holidays, TUI and Sunvil also confirmed their customers in Cyprus remain unaffected.
Olympic Holidays Managing Director Reeva Kingston confirmed ‘none of its customers had been directly affected by the fires’.
Reeva added: “The safety and wellbeing of our customers and staff remains our top priority and we are actively monitoring the situation in close coordination with our local teams and partners on the ground.
“We are in regular contact with our resort representatives and local authorities and are prepared to take any necessary action should the situation change. We will continue to keep our customers fully informed and supported throughout.”
Temperatures in Cyprus peaked at 43C on Wednesday, with the wildfire scorching nearly 39 square miles of hillsides on the southern side of the island’s Troodos mountain range.
Image credit: Steve Evans
People were evacuated from the area, with two individuals losing their lives after trying to flee the fires in their car. A further 10 people were reportedly injured, the Mail reports.
Luxury holiday homes were also burnt. Campsites on the Troodos mountain range were evacuated as a precaution, says AP News. Archaeological sites at Kourion, Apollon Ylatis and Kolossi Castle closed on Thursday (24 July).
A spokesperson from Sunvil said the situation should improve today. “High temperatures are expected today and warnings have been issued for the potential of more fires, but with high winds set to weaken today, the situation is expected to improve,” they said.
The Foreign Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advice, saying: “There are active wildfires in Cyprus, including in the Paphos and Limassol districts, which have resulted in some evacuations from affected areas. Transport and infrastructure (electricity, water) links in locations close to the fires may be affected whilst the authorities respond to the situation.
“Both Paphos and Larnaca airports (serving Limassol) are operating as normal.”
