Cyprus Orders Investigation After Military Ammunition Blast Sparks Brushfire

Cyprus has launched an investigation after the controlled detonation of discarded military ammunition by National Guard engineers ignited a fast-moving brushfire, forcing emergency services into a major firefighting operation and drawing an angry response from the country’s defence minister. The incident occurred near the Kalo Chorio firing range in the Larnaca district during a period of extreme heat and heightened wildfire risk.

Defence Minister Vassilis Palmas expressed what officials described as “intense dissatisfaction and strong irritation” after learning that an engineering battalion had destroyed six discarded rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) projectiles despite regulations that prohibit such activities during the peak summer fire season. He immediately ordered a formal investigation to determine why established safety procedures were ignored and who authorised the detonation.

According to the Ministry of Defence, sparks from the controlled explosion ignited dry vegetation surrounding the firing range, causing flames to spread rapidly under temperatures approaching 40°C (104°F) and strong winds. The wildfire quickly expanded across scrubland, prompting authorities to evacuate the nearby communities of Agia Anna and Psevdas as a precaution.

More than 100 firefighters, assisted by eight firefighting aircraft, battled the blaze for several hours before bringing it under control. Officials said the fire scorched around 120 hectares (roughly 300 acres) of vegetation. Despite the scale of the blaze, no homes were destroyed and no fatalities were reported, although one volunteer firefighter sustained injuries during the operation.

Palmas said the incident represented a serious breach of protocol, stressing that military engineers should have coordinated with National Guard headquarters before disposing of the ammunition. He pledged that anyone found responsible for violating safety regulations would face appropriate disciplinary measures once the investigation is completed. A full report is expected in the coming weeks.

The episode has renewed concerns over Cyprus’s vulnerability to wildfires during increasingly hot and dry summers. Authorities have repeatedly warned that prolonged drought, high temperatures and strong winds have significantly increased the risk of fast-moving fires across the Mediterranean island. The latest incident comes as firefighters have already been battling multiple blazes during this year’s fire season.

The military-related fire also revived memories of Cyprus’s worst peacetime military disaster, the 2011 Evangelos Florakis Naval Base explosion, in which improperly stored ammunition detonated, killing 13 people and causing extensive damage. While the latest incident was far less severe, officials acknowledged the importance of strictly following ammunition disposal procedures to prevent similar tragedies.

Emergency crews remain on alert for possible flare-ups as investigators examine the circumstances surrounding the detonation. Cypriot authorities say the findings will help strengthen military safety procedures and wildfire prevention measures as the island continues to face another challenging summer fire season.