A wildfire broke out near the Limassol district of Omodos on Friday afternoon, and was contained shortly afterwards.

Fire brigade spokesman Andreas Kettis said a total of eight fire engines belonging to the fire brigade and five more from the forestry department have been dispatched to fight the fire, while five firefighting aircraft have also been deployed.

In addition, he said, the game service, the civil defence, the district government, and other organised volunteer groups are working to support efforts to fight the fire, operating water tankers and earth movers.

He added that the first firefighters who arrived on the scene are now working to protect residential properties in Omodos from the fire.

Meanwhile, the police announced that the main road between Omodos and the nearby village of Pachna had been closed due to the fire.

Omodos, fire, firefighters, fire engine, fire service, Limassol, Andreas Kettis