A Cypriot team was operating for five days in Xylokastro in the Peloponnese to help put out the forest fires there, the Forestry Department said in an announcement.
It said that the team, that went to Greece through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, returned to Cyprus on October 7. The mission consisted of two Forestry Department Air Tractor type planes with a crew of five and ground support staff of five.
According to the Department of Forests, the Cypriot mission operated for five days in various areas in Corinthia and helped put out several flare-ups. With its aerial operations, the Cypriot mission helped to protect forest areas as well as other properties and human lives, it said.
The team ‘was congratulated’, before its departure for Cyprus, by officials of the competent authorities of Greece and the Civil Protection Officer of the European Commission (ERCC-DG ECHO) Mihail Gutas, who was in Greece in the context of the activation of the rescEU mechanism.
The announcement said that the Republic of C
yprus has always responded to aid neighbouring countries either through interstate agreements or within the framework of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
It is also said that the Department of Forests was ready to provide assistance to neighbouring countries, when the need arises.
Source: Cyprus News Agency