At least two people dead as wildfires ravage popular European hotspot with Britons issued urgent travel alert
ANDREAS ADAMIDES
| Wildfires rage through Cyprus as villagers forced to evacuateCyprus in summer is one of the warmest places in the whole of the Mediterranean
Additional reporting by Dimitris Kouimtsidis
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At least two people have lost their lives as wildfires have ripped through the island of Cyprus, with Britons issued an urgent travel alert.
Dozens of homes and cars were burnt as the Mediterranean island saw highs of 43C.
Over 100 people have been forced to evacuate from the districts of Limassol and Paphos, after the infernos broke out yesterday.
The fire scorched 38.6 square miles of forested hillsides on the southern side of the island's Troodos mountain range.
Shocking footage filmed from inside a car shows fire ravaging the village of Souni in Limassol district, with devastating images the next day revealing burnt-out homes and cars.
The British High Commission in Cyprus has offered to assist Cypriot authorities in putting out the fires.
On a statement put out on social media, they wrote: "We are saddened by the tragic loss of life & properties caused by the wildfires affecting the mountainous areas of the Limassol district since yesterday.
"Through @bfcyprus, we are providing firefighting assistance to authorities & are in contact to provide any further support."
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ANDREAS ADAMIDES
|The fire scorched 38.6 square miles of forested hillsides on the southern side of the island's Troodos mountain range
Britons have since been warned to watch out for an "emergency alert" while travelling to the birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite.
The popular European hotspot has a high risk of wildfires from April to October, during the summer season.
The updated information from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has warned travellers looking to visit the region during this period.
They urged Britons to ensure that their mobile phone is registered to receive emergency alerts to be warned of wildfires.
PA
|The alerts are designed to inform tourists and locals of any emergencies
The alerts are designed to inform tourists and locals of any emergencies, including severe weather and threats of war.
Wildfires are highly dangerous and unpredictable, warned the FCDO, adding: "The situation can change quickly".
Cyprus is also known to experience earthquakes and tremors.
The Department of Meteorology in Cyprus issues warnings for severe weather, particularly during the summer.
REUTERS
|The inferno has destroyed property in the districts of Limassol and Paphos
The FCDO warns that the weather can sometimes cause travel disruption and warns Britons to monitor local and international updates, severe weather warnings, and follow local advice.
Cyprus experiences 300 to 340 sunny days a year, making it a much-loved holiday destination for Britons looking for some hot weather.
The destination in summer is one of the warmest places in the whole of the Mediterranean as it averages 12 hours per day or more of sun.
This pushes temperatures above 30C for the main summer months.