2 firefighters killed as forest fire rages in Cyprus

Two firefighters were killed tackling one of the largest forest fires to hit Cyprus in years, and several countries mobilized aid on Tuesday as the flames raged for a third day, euronews reported.

The fire, which police said may have spread from a garden where stubble was being burned, broke out on Sunday in the foothills of the eastern Mediterranean island’s Troodos mountains.

It has been fanned by high winds and scorching temperatures, hampering efforts by firefighters backed by helicopters from British military bases on the island and water bomber aircraft from Greece and Israel.

French and Italian air support arrived late Tuesday and were expected to be mobilized from Wednesday.

Source: MENA