Investigation report submitted following Kalo Chorio firing range fire

On July 27, 2026, a fire broke out at the Kalo Chorio firing range in the Larnaca district during a National Guard training exercise involving the 70th Engineer Battalion and three U.S. military personnel. The blaze, triggered by munition disposal activities, spread toward the villages of Agia Anna and Psevda, prompting public outcry and calls for the resignation of top government and military officials. Critics argued the exercise violated safety protocols regarding ammunition disposal during the high-temperature summer season, though officials noted temperatures at the time remained below 38 degrees Celsius.

Brigadier Savvas Stefanou was appointed by the General Staff to conduct an investigation into the causes and potential disciplinary or criminal liabilities. The completed report was officially submitted to the Chief of the National Guard, Lieutenant General Emmanouil Theodorou, on August 5, 2026. The Chief is tasked with reviewing the findings before presenting them to the Minister of Defence, Vasilis Palmas, by the end of the week. The investigation remains a point of contention, with some observers criticizing the internal nature of the inquiry. Further updates are expected once the Ministry of Defence processes the report's conclusions.