Larnaca: A two-day Search and Rescue exercise, 'ARTEMIS 2025', concluded in Larnaca, focusing on enhancing the preparedness and coordination of first responders in the event of a major earthquake. The comprehensive drill was conducted in various locations, including the Disaster Response Special Unit (D.R.S.U) facilities in Kofinou and the Zygi area.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Panayiotis Liasides, Spokesperson of Civil Defence, stated that the exercise was co-financed by the European Union as part of the Unit's involvement in the European Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) Response Capacity Pool. This initiative supports training and preparedness to bolster responses to natural disasters. The Cyprus Civil Defence carried out the exercise in cooperation with the Cyprus Fire Service and the Ambulance Service Directorate.
'ARTEMIS 2025' aimed to test the preparedness and coordination of Search and Rescue teams, train them in handling complex incidents after a major earthquake, improve inter-agency cooperation, and exercise teams in continuous, long-term operations. The drill simulated a scenario involving a 7.1-magnitude earthquake on Larnaca's southern coast, leading to widespread collapse, trapped citizens, and damaged buildings, necessitating immediate service mobilization.
Liasides explained that all procedures mirrored those of a real incident. The exercise included rescue operations from rubble, locating 'missing persons' through search teams, providing emergency assistance, transporting injured individuals, coordinating with maritime forces, and operating a continuous 36-hour operations base.
The operations unfolded under realistic conditions with continuous scenario changes to test team adaptability. Liasides remarked that the exercise was evaluated as particularly successful, demonstrating the high readiness level of the teams, effective agency cooperation, and capacity to manage prolonged operations under pressure.