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Cyprus Civil Defence updates evacuation plans following Limassol wildfires
Following the devastating wildfire in mountainous Limassol on July 23, 2025, Cyprus's Civil Defence has implemented significant changes to its evacuation protocols. Interior Minister Konstantinos Ioannou revealed in response to a parliamentary inquiry that while the POLYBIOS evacuation plan for the Souni–Zanatzia area had been updated in April 2025, that update lacked practical testing or exercises.
To address these vulnerabilities, Civil Defence has updated the POLYBIOS plan for all communities for 2026. New measures include the distribution of portable radios to Community Cluster Presidents and the Office of the Commissioner for the Development of Mountainous Communities. Users have undergone training, and monthly communication checks have been established with the Limassol Regional Civil Defence Directorate.
Additionally, the government has launched the SAFE-CY and CY-ALERT mobile applications to provide immediate emergency notifications to citizens. Communication groups involving Community Council members and local residents have also been formed. Large-scale evacuation exercises are now being conducted nationwide, with recent drills completed in Limassol communities such as Limnati and Foini.
Entities
Civil Defence · Konstantinos Ioannou · Limassol · Odysseas Michaelides · Souni–Zanatzia
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The SAFE-CY and CY-ALERT mobile applications have been launched to inform citizens during emergencies. www.politis.com.cy · www.sigmalive.com · www.tothemaonline.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Civil Defence has begun conducting large-scale evacuation exercises across Cyprus. www.politis.com.cy · www.sigmalive.com · www.tothemaonline.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The POLYBIOS evacuation plan for Souni–Zanatzia was updated on April 29, 2025. www.politis.com.cy · www.sigmalive.com · www.tothemaonline.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Civil Defence has updated the POLYBIOS plan for all communities for the year 2026. www.politis.com.cy · www.sigmalive.com · www.tothemaonline.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The April 2025 update to the POLYBIOS plan did not include testing or exercises. www.politis.com.cy · www.sigmalive.com · www.tothemaonline.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Portable radios have been distributed to Community Cluster Presidents and the Office of the Commissioner for the Development of Mountainous Communities. www.politis.com.cy · www.sigmalive.com · www.tothemaonline.com