The fire brigade rescued 26 hikers on Wednesday after they became trapped by rising water in the Avakas gorge in the Paphos district.

The call for help was received at 1.13pm on Wednesday. Rescuers from Peyia fire station hoisted the people to safety using ropes and life jackets.

All 26 are reported to be safe and well.

Another call followed at 4.20pm regarding five people trapped in the same gorge. Three people were pulled out of the rising water and the other two at a different part of the gorge were also brought out safely.

From 6am on Wednesday till 6am on Thursday, the fire brigade responded to 26 calls for help, including 13 fires, five weather-related incidents and two false alarms.