Nicosia: A team of 10 US government experts is set to arrive in Cyprus this afternoon, President Nikos Christodoulides announced on Wednesday. This follows Nicosia’s request for assistance in the investigation and evaluation of the management of recent wildfires in the Limassol district, with President Christodoulides urging all competent state services to fully cooperate with the incoming team.
According to Cyprus News Agency, President Christodoulides, addressing the members of the Council of Ministers at the start of Wednesday’s meeting, confirmed that the US government responded positively to his request. The team of 10 US experts, who are expected to arrive at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, have notable international experience, having previously managed fires in California, Hawaii, and other countries.
The President outlined the team’s mission, which includes investigating the causes of the recent fires, analyzing how they spread, evaluating firefighting efforts, and assessing management measures. The team will submit a report to President Christodoulides with documented suggestions for improvements, if necessary, based on their findings. This report aims to address and strengthen any weaknesses identified in all aspects of fire management.
President Christodoulides also mentioned that he plans to meet with the team during their stay in Cyprus. He instructed Cabinet members to ensure that the competent services provide full cooperation to the team, emphasizing that their presence is to assist Cyprus.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Yiannis Antoniou informed the Cyprus News Agency on Tuesday that members of the US Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) unit are among those expected to arrive in Cyprus. This arrival is part of the broader effort to aid in the investigation and assessment of the recent wildfires in the mountainous region of Limassol.