Cyprus Civil Defense conducts successful emergency evacuation drills

The Cyprus Civil Defense authority conducted seven emergency evacuation drills on Sunday across the districts of Larnaca, Famagusta, and Paphos. The exercises focused on testing the Cy-Alert mobile messaging system, which sent notifications to residents in communities including Avgorou, Ora, and Argaka. The alerts simulated a fire emergency, instructing citizens to prepare for evacuation and to keep roads clear for emergency vehicles. Authorities established a coordination center at the Apostle Andreas church in Ora, involving over 70 personnel from the Civil Defense, Police, Forest Department, and Ambulance Service. The scenario included the organized evacuation of vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and children, to designated shelters like the Choirokoitia Primary School. Panagiotis Liasidis, spokesperson for the Civil Defense, noted that the data collected during these trials will be used to improve future coordination. Additional drills are scheduled for June 10 in the villages of Kalopanayiotis and Foini. Officials evaluated the overall execution of the exercises as successful.