Larnaca's salt lake, one of the island's most vulnerable natural areas, is likely to have become the site of car racing. It is unauthorized competitions that are cited as the reason why two cars have been abandoned in the environmental zone for the third day.
The cars were stuck in shallow water in the middle of the salt marsh. Police said one car may have been racing on the lake, despite all environmental restrictions. The second car probably entered the lake to tow the first one, which was stuck in the mud. As a result, both cars got stuck and were abandoned by their owners. Both drivers have already been identified and are giving statements to police as part of the investigation.
Getting cars is quite difficult and requires a special platform.
The Department of Environmental Protection has confirmed it will prepare a full report for police as required by law. This report will include proposed fines, possible sanctions and further actions required by law.
Traveling to the lake area, much less parking there, is prohibited.
Earlier this year, the Department of Environmental Protection issued a warning that vehicles and individuals crossing the surface of the lake on foot could inadvertently destroy the nests or chicks of open-nesting birds. Human presence also disrupts invertebrates, which remain the main source of food for flamingos and other bird species. These invertebrates lie dormant in cysts on the surface, waiting for rainfall to hatch.
In Cyprus, the problem of unauthorized street racing remains a serious safety hazard, with participants using roadways and empty spaces as tracks, often late at night, putting bystanders, residents and other road users at risk. For example, in Paralimni races are also held on the lake.
The text was prepared based on materials from Cyprus Mail.
