The cost of repatriating the bodies of the two young children who died in last Sunday’s tragic incident in Xylofagou will be covered in full by the Republic of Cyprus, the Xylofagou community council announced on Friday.

In a statement, the council said that during a meeting held on July 2, members discussed the possibility of providing financial assistance for the transfer of the bodies of the two children to Bulgaria following their deaths in the community last Sunday.

However, it said that the transportation of the bodies “will be carried out entirely at the expense of the Republic of Cyprus”.

The president and members of the community council expressed their sincere condolences and support to the children’s family.

They also thanked all those who had come forward and offered assistance and support following the tragedy.

The children’s father and his partner were initially arrested on suspicion of negligence and appeared before the Dhekelia court earlier this week. Reports indicated that the children aged eight and ten had remained inside the vehicle, which was within the Dhekelia British base on Sunday, for several hours.

The partner was later freed whilst the father accused of negligence leading to the deaths of his two young children was on Thursday ordered to remain in police custody by a British Bases court which ruled the seriousness of the allegations and the risk of absconding outweighed arguments for his release.

During the hearing the prosecution argued that the defendant should remain in custody until July 12th when a new hearing is scheduled to take place, because he presented a substantial flight risk.