The two vehicles that had been trapped in the Larnaca Salt Lake since last Wednesday were finally freed on Wednesday afternoon following a lengthy and challenging recovery operation.
Larnaca Deputy Mayor Iasonas Iasonides said that from 07:00 in the morning, “a private company undertook the recovery of the two vehicles, and the operation appears to be successful. The process was somewhat delayed due to the difficulty of the mud, which rose with the movement of the cars and made the task harder.”
He added that “the process was ongoing, and around 11:30 the first car was removed from the lake, while we expect the second to be out by 2:00 p.m. at the latest.”
Responding to questions, Iasonides said that the owner of the first car “told municipal services he was trying to get closer to the sunset to capture better footage with his camera.”
He dismissed suggestions that the area should be fenced off, explaining that “building a wall would reduce the environmental and aesthetic value of the habitat.”
“We need to learn, as Cypriots and as visitors, to respect habitats and the natural environment,” he said, noting that both locals and tourists often ignore the signs and walk into the centre of the Salt Lake, where access is prohibited.
The driver of the first vehicle will pay a €2,000 fine imposed by the Game and Fauna Service for environmental damage. The owner of the company that handled the recovery said the operation cost between €5,000 and €8,000.
“This cost will be borne by the driver who entered the lake with his car,” Iasonides confirmed. “Once both vehicles are removed, they will be transferred to the municipality’s storage facilities and held until the company that carried out the operation is paid.”
Also read: Vehicles stuck in Larnaca Salt Lake: rescue attempt underway
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