National Guard’s Kalo Chorio firing range faces second munitions mishap in months, as fire safety measures fail to stop blaze

Local fireTop News National Guard’s Kalo Chorio firing range faces second munitions mishap in months, as fire safety measures fail to stop blaze D6c6997525870d51c2e7c558e87f91cf Relevant News National Guard’s Kalo Chorio firing range faces second munitions mishap in months, as fire safety measures fail to stop blaze 28 July 2026 Defence challenges government doctor who examined complainant in Phedonos rape trial 28 July 2026 Suspended Metropolitan Tychikos spared further punishment for now over refusal to drop court case 28 July 2026 Andreas Pogiatzi 28 July 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber The Kalo Chorio firing range in Larnaca is turning into a “Waterloo” for the National Guard. After losing 13.6 kilograms of TNT mixture last March during a training exercise to destroy RPG munitions carried out by the 20th Engineer Company, the 70th Engineer Battalion caused a fire yesterday that threatened surrounding communities and forest land. Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas said in his statements that the battalion bears full responsibility for the major fire, since munitions destruction should not have taken place during this period. Philenews has learned that this was not a simple instruction, but a standing order applied every year, providing for the suspension of firing and munitions destruction during the summer months due to heightened fire risk. The Defence Ministry has made clear that it was not aware of this specific activity. It is clear, nevertheless, that the 70th Engineer Battalion did not go to the firing range on its own initiative, and that there was internal coordination within the National Guard. Fire safety personnel and equipment were present at the site, a standard practice followed for every training activity. Beyond the failure to apply the standing order, which explicitly banned munitions destruction and firing during the summer months, the National Guard General Staff and the Defence Ministry will also investigate how the fire escaped its original site despite the fire safety measures in place, and spread towards surrounding communities. There were also reports that firefighting forces who reached the area did not approach the source of the fire through the firing range itself, due to the danger posed by the possible presence of unexploded munitions. This meant the fire spread very quickly, also due to dry vegetation. Wind turbines in the area posed an additional obstacle to firefighting operations. They limited the ability of National Guard aircraft to approach the fire front with low dives and make accurate water drops. This combination of factors favoured the fire, which reached the communities of Agia Anna and Psevda. However, thanks to the immense efforts of the Forest Department Fire Service and volunteers, the fire was put out in time. Read more: Anger mounts in Larnaca as defence minister blames army battalion for wildfire, promises answers within ten days Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Defence challenges government doctor who examined complainant in Phedonos rape trial Suspended Metropolitan Tychikos spared further punishment for now over refusal to drop court case Technical fault delayed Cy-Alert fire warning by two hours, Civil Defence spokesman admits Case file on Germasogeia collapse that killed two reaches Law Office Guterres begins first UN chief visit to Cyprus since 2010 as expectations stay low Anger mounts in Larnaca as defence minister blames army battalion for wildfire, promises answers within ten days Guterres lands in Cyprus, pledges ‘comprehensive and lasting’ solution Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.