Those found responsible for the wildfire that broke out at the Kalo Chorio firing range last month “will be held accountable in accordance with the law”, Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas said on Thursday after receiving the National Guard’s disciplinary investigation report into the incident.

Palmas said he had received the report from National Guard commander Lieutenant General Emmanouel Theodorou but would refrain from commenting on its findings while the Cyprus police’s criminal investigation remains ongoing.

“At this stage, I will limit myself to a thorough study of the report and will not make any further comment, as the criminal investigation into the case by the Cyprus police is still ongoing,” he said in a written statement.

He added that respect for the investigative process and the need to safeguard the integrity of the criminal inquiry prevented any public discussion of matters currently under investigation.

“Once the criminal investigation has been completed and all the evidence has been evaluated, where responsibilities arise, they will be assigned in accordance with the law,” Palmas said.

The findings of the police investigation are expected to be submitted to the Legal Service within the coming week.

Meanwhile communities affected by the wildfire sparked at the Kalo Chorio firing range have unanimously renewed calls for the facility to be relocated. The defence ministry also pledged to cover all damage caused by the wildfire. 

The fire broke out on July 27 during ammunition disposal operations at the Kalo Chorio firing range and spread rapidly, burning around 120 hectares of land and forcing the evacuation of Ayia Anna and Psevdas.