limassol wildfire — limassol wildfire — Cypriot MEPs have voiced strong criticism of the European Union’s response to the deadly wildfire in Limassol that claimed two lives and ravaged hundreds of homes. The inferno, which erupted in July, was part of a catastrophic fire season across Europe, where over one million hectares were scorched, a figure surpassing even the total landmass of Cyprus.
During a parliamentary debate, MEPs Giorgos Georgiou, Michalis Hadjipantela, Geadis Geadi, and Fidias Panayiotou challenged the EU’s lack of timely assistance, arguing that the organisation failed to fulfil its obligations towards member states facing such crises.
Limassol wildfire: Record-Breaking Damage and Calls for Accountability
Georgiou, representing the AKEL party, lamented Cyprus’s grim position, stating that the island has recorded the largest destruction as a percentage of its total territory over the last decade. He expressed frustration over the Cypriot government’s lack of accountability, declaring, “not even resignations of responsible ministers were seen.” His comments highlighted a deep-seated discontent with both local and EU authorities.
The need for immediate action is paramount, according to Hadjipantela from DISY, who emphasised that mere expressions of sympathy from the EU are insufficient. He stated, “The European Union cannot consider it has done its duty with a few words of sympathy. We don’t need sympathy. We need actions.” Hadjipantela further warned that without a robust response plan for future incidents, the responsibility for any failures would fall squarely on EU leadership.
Seeking Support from the EU
Despite the criticism, Hadjipantela confirmed that Cyprus remains eligible to apply for compensation through the European Commission’s Solidarity Fund, a process that must be initiated within 12 weeks following the incidents. “We officially informed the government about this matter,” he added, suggesting a glimmer of hope for financial aid.
Geadi from ELAM extended gratitude for the support received from Italy and Israel, who provided firefighting aircraft to assist Cyprus in battling the flames. He noted the importance of international solidarity in times of crisis, acknowledging the contributions from these nations as crucial to combating the wildfires.
The Perception of Abandonment
Independent MEP Panayiotou expressed a stark sentiment felt by many Cypriots, stating that the island received more assistance from non-EU countries such as Georgia, Egypt, Israel, and Lebanon than from its European counterparts. “As Cypriots, we feel the EU has abandoned us,” he lamented, encapsulating the frustration regarding the perceived lack of support from the EU during a critical time.
This year has been marked as a record-breaking fire season, with Cyprus, Spain, Germany, and Slovakia surpassing their historical records for annual fire damage. As of now, at least eight individuals have lost their lives due to the wildfires that have swept across various regions.
