Racist Vandalism in Cyprus as Evacuations Continue

A school in Larnaca, Cyprus, designated as temporary housing for foreign nationals fleeing Lebanon, was targeted by racist vandalism. The incident, reported on Monday, has raised concerns amid the ongoing evacuation efforts. The racist vandalism has prompted a police investigation, while Cyprus continues to accommodate evacuees arriving from the Middle East.

Vandalism at Larnaca School

The Kiti gymnasium in Larnaca was the site of the vandalism, where vandals smashed windows and spray-painted hateful symbols and slogans, including swastikas. One of the slogans, loosely translating to “Death to the Masses,” is typically associated with football rivalries, but its use alongside swastikas suggests a racist motive. A police investigation is underway to identify those responsible for the racist vandalism.

Questioning the Motive

While the presence of swastikas strongly indicates a racist intent, some have questioned whether the slogans were purely football-related. Nevertheless, the racist vandalism in Cyprus has shocked local communities, especially as the school was being prepared to temporarily house evacuees from Lebanon.

 

Efforts to Support Evacuees Continue

Despite the incident of racist vandalism, the evacuation of foreign nationals through Cyprus remains steady. Both the foreign and justice ministries have confirmed that security has been heightened in response to the situation.

Foreign Ministry’s Response

According to foreign ministry spokesperson Theodoros Gotsis, around 1,000 people transited through Cyprus over the weekend, including 860 Australians. The evacuees, arriving by commercial and chartered flights, were temporarily housed in state facilities. Gotsis noted that Cyprus has sufficient capacity to manage a greater flow of evacuees, with 7,000 beds available.

Cooperation with International Airlines

The evacuation efforts are being coordinated in partnership with commercial airlines and military envoys from various countries. More flights carrying evacuees, including Australian nationals, are expected in the coming days. The airports of Larnaca and Paphos are managing the increased traffic efficiently, despite the heightened security and longer queues.

Temporary Hosting in Cyprus

Evacuees are temporarily hosted in schools and other state facilities, with those requiring medical care housed in nearby hotels. Over the summer, the government prepared additional accommodation in schools across Larnaca, providing sanitary facilities to support the evacuees. The Estia plan, a government initiative, is in full effect to ensure smooth coordination between the Cyprus Red Cross, civil defence, and other state agencies.

Heightened Security Measures in Cyprus

Since October, Cyprus has been on heightened alert due to regional conflicts. Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis confirmed that police presence has been increased around sensitive facilities such as airports, international schools, embassies, and synagogues. The Navstratis plan, which includes port police and coast guard operations, remains ready to be implemented should irregular migration flows increase.

Monitoring the Situation

Although no major spike in irregular migration has been observed, the authorities remain vigilant. Both the police and coast guard are prepared to respond quickly if necessary. The ongoing conflict in the region has led to an influx of foreign nationals seeking safety, with Cyprus serving as a key transit hub.

Israeli Nationals Fleeing via Cyprus

In addition to evacuees from Lebanon, Israeli nationals are also fleeing to Cyprus. Israeli airlines have been operating flights between Tel Aviv and Larnaca, with eight arrivals and nine departures scheduled on Monday alone. These flights are expected to continue as the situation in the region evolves.

Private Vessels Arriving by Sea

European nationals and diplomatic staff are also arriving in Cyprus by private vessels. Larnaca and Ayia Napa marinas have seen an increase in traffic, with boats carrying individuals fleeing the conflict. Cyprus’ strategic location in the Eastern Mediterranean makes it an essential point of evacuation for those affected by the ongoing crises.

In this article, racist vandalism Cyprus is used as the focus keyword to optimize content for SEO, helping the article rank higher and reach a wider audience. The situation in Cyprus reflects the challenges faced during evacuation efforts, compounded by acts of vandalism.

 

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