The estimated cost of this summer’s forest fires in the mountainous regions of Limassol comes to €60 million, of which under €5 million has been paid out in compensation so far, it emerged on Thursday.

The figures were given by Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou, responding in writing to a formal query submitted by a Disy MP.

The €60 million number does not include compensation to businesses, farmland or farming equipment, the minister said.

He could not provide damage estimates for these, as they come under the jurisdiction of the ministries of labour and agriculture.

The €60 million cited does include damages to insured and/or uninsured buildings.

According to the minister, damage assessment is ongoing – meaning the number could go beyond the currently estimated €60 million.

Up until early November, the interior ministry had approved disbursements of €4.2 million as compensation.

According to the findings of a team of US fire experts, the blaze broke out at approximately 1.20pm on July 23. As it spread and spun out of control, it scorched 25,000 acres (100 square kilometers) by the time it was contained.

Fifty per cent concerned grassland, 31 per cent dry vegetation, 16 per cent tree vegetation, and 1.3 per cent residential areas.

The inferno completely gutted 224 homes, while 308 other residences were partially burned. About 300 vehicles were destroyed or damaged.

There were two fatalities – an elderly couple trapped in their car engulfed by the flames.

In the same query to Ioannou, the Disy MP also wanted to know the total cost of the forest fires in Arakapas in July 2021, which incinerated over 55 square kilometers of land.

The minister said that the cost comes to €1.72 million. Compensation payouts are still ongoing.