Investigation launched into wildfire caused by ammunition destruction at Kalo Chorio

A significant wildfire erupted on Monday, July 27, at the Kalo Chorio firing range in the Larnaca district after the National Guard conducted a planned destruction of old ammunition. The blaze spread to the surrounding area, causing distress to local residents in Kalo Chorio, Agia Anna, and Psevdas, many of whom were forced to evacuate. Community leaders have criticized the defense ministry for scheduling high-risk military activities during extreme heat and fire-alert conditions, noting that this is not the first time such incidents have occurred in the area.

The Ministry of Defence has appointed Brigadier Savvas Stefanou as a criminal investigator to examine the circumstances of the fire and determine if there were disciplinary or procedural failures. Meanwhile, opposition parties and environmental groups have demanded accountability, questioning why the military proceeded with the destruction despite the high-risk weather. The National Guard spokesperson stated that internal protocols govern such operations but deferred specific details to the ongoing investigation, which is expected to conclude in approximately ten days.