A fire broke out on Sunday morning at a waste disposal site near Koutsoventis in the north, affecting an estimated 20,000 to 25,000 square metres of land.
According to Turkish Cypriot media reports, firefighting efforts continued for several hours, while a technical team from the "Department of Environmental Protection" visited the area to assess the impact of the blaze and the condition of the facility.
The latest fire has once again brought into focus long-standing concerns about the operation of the site, with the "authorities" acknowledging that a comprehensive and permanent intervention is now required.
On-site inspections after the fire
Following the outbreak, a technical team led by "Department of Environmental Protection director" Yilmaz Altunderim carried out an inspection of the area.
According to preliminary assessments, the fire affected between 20,000 and 25,000 square metres of land, while checks were conducted to assess any potential environmental consequences.
The "department" said the site is inspected regularly and that relevant reports are submitted to the competent authorities.
Warnings over landfill operations
A statement issued after the fire highlighted serious shortcomings in waste management at the site.
According to the "department," previous inspections found that waste deposited at the facility was not being covered with soil as required, while operational rules and standards were not being adequately implemented.
Earlier reports had also warned that the facility has largely lost the characteristics of an organised sanitary landfill and faces the risk of effectively becoming an uncontrolled dumping ground.
The same reports warned of risks to the environment, public health and safety, and called for restoration works to begin immediately.
