Two cars stuck in Larnaca's salt lake last week have finally been recovered after a complex rescue operation ended on Wednesday 15 October.
Work began around seven in the morning and continued until noon. A private company hired by the municipality used heavy equipment. The process was complicated by the fact that the soil under the vehicle had softened, and the cables repeatedly broke during towing.
Police said the first car drove into a shallow part of the lake and got stuck in the mud. The second one tried to help and also got stuck. The first car was pulled out at about 11:30 a.m., and the second just before 2 p.m. After the evacuation, both cars were taken to the Larnaca municipal parking lot.
Owners will only be able to repossess the vehicles after paying a fine of €2,000 imposed by the Wildlife Service, as well as compensation for rescue work, which is estimated at €5,000–8,000.
According to the mayor of Larnaca, Andreas Viras, the operation required the utmost caution, since the lake is one of the most sensitive natural ecosystems in Cyprus.
“The company will try to release the vehicles today. If it doesn’t work out, we’ll continue tomorrow,” he said before the start of work, expressing confidence in a successful outcome.
According to him, the driver explained that he stopped at the lake to take “better pictures of the sunset.”
The municipality reminded that entry into the lake area is strictly prohibited, and promised to install additional signs and increase patrolling. Larnaca's official statement expressed "deep concern" about illegal activities threatening the protected area.
The Larnaca Salt Lake is part of the Natura 2000 network of protected areas and is a Ramsar site. Every year thousands of flamingos and other rare bird species spend the winter here.
Cars driving through the salt cover leads to the destruction of the crystalline crust and destroys microorganisms that are vital for the ecosystem of the reservoir. The lake has been under national and European protection since 1997.
Recent rains have increased water levels, further complicating the work of rescuers. The authorities reminded that large fines are provided for any violation of environmental regulations on the territory of the lake.
Source: cyprus-mail.com
