Technical fault delayed Cy-Alert fire warning by two hours, Civil Defence spokesman admits

Local civil defencefireTop News Technical fault delayed Cy-Alert fire warning by two hours, Civil Defence spokesman admits 753204402 1372418688165186 3888536385859038541 N 1536x1152 Relevant News Technical fault delayed Cy-Alert fire warning by two hours, Civil Defence spokesman admits 28 July 2026 Investigators send Law Office their recommendations on fatal Germasogeia collapse 28 July 2026 Guterres begins first UN chief visit to Cyprus since 2010 as expectations stay low 28 July 2026 newsroom 28 July 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Cyprus’s national early-warning system, Cy-Alert, failed to fulfil its mission after a major delay was observed in sending evacuation messages during yesterday’s wildfire in the Kalo Chorio area of Larnaca. Civil Defence press spokesman Panayiotis Liasidis admitted, in comments to State Radio, that there was a two-hour delay due to a technical problem. Asked to comment on what went wrong, he said: “A problem came up with Cy-Alert and the message went out later, but what we should look at, the positive side, is that there was flexibility. That is, from the start we were in communication with the community councils. We had sent people to the area and the evacuation process went ahead normally. There was a problem with Cy-Alert and the message was sent a little later, but also when the fire was put out, the next message was also sent, informing residents that they could return to their homes.” When a journalist noted that one to two hours is not a short time and asked how Civil Defence reacted when it identified the problem, Liasidis said: “The relevant checks will take place and we’ll see. It was a technical problem, two attempts were made and the message went out with a delay.” Asked why some residents in the area did not receive the message at all, the Civil Defence spokesman said: “To receive the message, you need to have signal on your mobile. If we don’t have signal, we certainly won’t get the message. Citizens have told us they received the message on the highway near Mosfiloti, in Aradippou and other surrounding areas. Now if a subscriber didn’t have signal, they certainly wouldn’t have been able to get it.” On whether residents obeyed Civil Defence’s instructions, Liasidis said: “Usually there are citizens who don’t want to leave their homes, which is certainly understandable, but this was essentially a precautionary evacuation. That is, the fire did approach some homes but did not affect the core of the communities. Still, it’s good for citizens to obey the instructions.” Asked whether there was cooperation with the National Guard so that Civil Defence could remain on standby, he said that usually “we are informed too, but the community councils of the area are informed first and foremost.” On the injured volunteer, Liasidis said: “Civil Defence has its own volunteer teams. They certainly need to have training and certification from the relevant services. Many citizens want to help, but all safety measures need to be taken.” Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Investigators send Law Office their recommendations on fatal Germasogeia collapse 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 40 degrees and clear skies on Tuesday Kalo Chorio fire contained after six-hour battle over 20 hectares Fire brought fully under control, coordination centre says Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.