Three people died on the Dherynia-Frenaros Road on Sunday night, police said in the morning. 

According to police, the crash occurred a little after midnight when a 44-year-old crashed into a car being driven by an 18-year-old. 

Police said that from the crash, Martinos Marti, Eirinaios Adamou (both 20) and Nikolas Koutsou (18) died. All three were from Frenaros. 

Two other passengers in the car, an 18-year-old and a 22-year-old were taken to hospital and are expected to undergo surgery. 

Later reports said that the 22-year-old was in critical condition, having sustained multiple injuries and that he was transferred from Famagusta General to Nicosia General.

A post-mortem will be carried out on the other three bodies on Monday by Dr Nicholas Charalambous.

The 44-year-old and his 15-year-old son, who was a passenger  in his vehicle, also went to the hospital, where they were given first aid and released.  The 44-year-old man struck a tree with his vehicle, which subsequently burst into flames, after both he and his son had exited the vehicle.

Later in the day, police arrested the 44-year-old. According to police, he was arrested under a court warrant for the offence of causing death by a negligent, reckless or dangerous act.The Paralimni-Dherynia municipality declared three days of mourning for the death of the three young men. 

Commenting on the deaths of the three young men, President Nikos Christodoulides said it is a “tragedy” to lose young people on the road. He added that everyone needs to work collectively to build a road safety culture.