Nations have sent help to Cyprus as the island nation fights a deadly wildfire, described by officials as the worst in the country’s history. Among the countries that have extended help are the United Kingdom, Greece, Italy and Israel, reported The BBC.

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The blaze has destroyed at least 50 sq km of forest and farmland spread through the southern Limassol district, forcing the evacuation of several villages. The UK’s Royal Air Force (RAF) that has a base at Akrotiri, located near Limassol, has tweeted images of helicopters participating in the firefighting operation.

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Janez Lenarcic, the European Commission’s head of crisis management, said on Saturday that a coordinated response was underway, the media outlet reported. Also, the EU’s Copernicus satellite is tracking the wildfire.

Meanwhile, Cyprus has said that wildfire was reduced after dropping water, but cautioned about the blaze resurge. 

“It is the worst forest fire in the history of Cyprus,” said Charalambos Alexandrou, the Director of the Department of Forests.

President Nicos Anastasiades has described the fire as “tragedy”, “the largest fire since 1974,” referring to the Turkish invasion that led to the division of the country. The leader has pledged immediate assistance to the victims” and their families. 

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As many as four people died in the blaze. The country’s Interior Ministry has confirmed that all four were Egyptian farmworkers. 

The Mediterranean nation is experiencing an intense heatwave with temperatures climbing to as high as 40°C. The wildfire in the country has been further fanned by strong winds.