The Civil Defence has issued a denial rejecting claims that its commander, Maria Pappa, was at the beach while affected areas were being evacuated during the deadly Limassol wildfires.
In its announcement, the Civil Defence expressed sympathy for those affected by the disaster and emphasised the dedication of its permanent staff and hundreds of volunteers who were on the front lines “from the first moment, actively participating in the protection of lives and property.”
Addressing the reports, the Civil Defence stated: “Remaining committed to the principles of ethics, transparency, and responsibility that guide our work, we find it necessary to respond to misleading social media posts regarding the Commander of the Civil Defence, Mrs Maria Pappa. We categorically deny the claim that the Commander was at a beach during the evacuation of affected areas.”
The agency explained that Pappa was abroad for pre-arranged family reasons, attending her child’s graduation and arranging matters related to their studies. During her absence, procedures were in place and a designated deputy was appointed to ensure the uninterrupted operation of the service.
Upon being informed of the wildfire in mountainous Limassol, the Civil Defence said Pappa immediately began arrangements to return to Cyprus. She arrived at midnight the same day and went directly to the Civil Defence Operations Control Centre, assuming coordination of actions in line with national plans. By 6:00 a.m. on 24 July, she was at the Crisis Coordination Centre in Ypsonas, actively involved in managing the situation.
The Civil Defence condemned any attempt to spread false information, particularly during times of crisis, saying such claims undermine collective efforts and create confusion among citizens.
“In this difficult time, the mission of all of us—volunteers and staff—remains united: to support those affected and to contribute with all our strength to recovery and the strengthening of our society’s resilience,” the statement concluded.
Also read: How Limassol’s wildfires revealed Cyprus’s readiness gap
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