RAF Chinooks help fight wildfire which has killed at least two people in Cyprus
The RAF has been helping to tackle a large wildfire which has already killed two people and devastated around 39 square miles of land in southern Cyprus.
Two Chinooks from RAF Akrotiri have been dumping water onto the blaze, which broke out on Wednesday lunchtime, with other aircraft from Spain and Jordan also assisting.
The fire, raging in the Limassol District, is close to the Western Sovereign Base Area, which is home to RAF Akrotiri and Episkopi Garrison, where 1st Battalion, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment is currently based.
A British Bases spokesperson said: "The British Bases are currently supporting the serious fires located North of Episkopi village.
"A number of villages in the Republic of Cyprus have been burned and others evacuated as a precaution.
"We are doing what we can to fight the fire in support of the Republic of Cyprus."
RAF crews had been training with their Cypriot counterparts for exactly this kind of scenario.
The Chinooks took over firefighting duties from the Pumas when they were retired from 84 Squadron earlier this year.
Two helicopters are on a detachment with 1310 Flight from RAF Odiham.
Despite the extra assistance, the Cypriot government says the fire is not yet under control.
The British High Commission has expressed sympathy for those affected in a statement on X.
"We are saddened by the tragic loss of life and properties caused by the wildfires affecting the mountainous areas of the Limassol district since yesterday," the statement read.
"We are providing firefighting assistance to authorities and are in contact to provide any further support."
It is unclear what started the fire, which is being fanned by strong winds and temperatures across the country, which are reaching up to 43°C.
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