Investigation continues into the death of two children in Xylophagou
Two Bulgarian brothers, aged 8 and 10, were found dead in a locked vehicle in Xylophagou on Sunday, June 28, 2026. The 30-year-old father is scheduled to appear before the Dhekelia British Bases Court on Wednesday, July 2, to face potential charges of negligence. His 38-year-old partner, who discovered the children, was released by authorities on July 1 without charges or restrictive measures. Technical inspections of the vehicle revealed a malfunction in one of the rear doors, which reportedly remained unlocked despite the car being secured, while the child lock was active, effectively trapping the children inside. Experts from the BMW manufacturer in Germany have joined the investigation to determine if a mechanical failure caused the tragedy. The children had been visiting Cyprus for holidays when the incident occurred. Following the tragedy, the Cypriot government announced it would cover all costs associated with repatriating the bodies to Bulgaria. The investigation remains active as authorities analyze CCTV footage and wait for scientific test results to confirm the exact cause of death.