Newsroom
Police in Cyprus are doubling down on confiscating illegal fireworks during Orthodox Holy Week, but efforts focus on suppliers and not users that wreak havoc in quiet neighborhoods.
Several reports have been making headlines recently as law enforcement officers have been tracking down illegal fireworks, including a recent arrest of a 20-year-old male in Limassol who had dozens of firecrackers as well as small quantity of cannabis.
Local media in Cyprus have been reporting on the illegal use of firecrackers in all districts, where teens typically hang out in school yards afterhours and abandoned buildings in the evenings.
Police officials have said their primary focus this year, same as last year, was on cutting the supply of illegal fireworks rather than policing neighborhoods, where the custom of throwing bangers at odd hours has become a daily nuisance for local residents.
Knews has learned about a family with an autistic child who has meltdowns during intense use of firecrackers, while local media have also pointed to problems for senior citizens and pets
But a law enforcement official who spoke on state radio Tuesday morning admitted that homemade firecrackers have also been found.
According to experts, homemade firecrackers are fairly easy to make but very highly dangerous as they are made with highly flammable materials and other easily accessible items including thick string, ping pong balls, duct tape, and nail polish.
It was pointed out to Knews that a term search online could also yield results on how to make weed edible fire crackers, which are considered cannabis treats and could also be illegal.
Knews has also learned about a family in Nicosia district with an autistic child who has meltdowns during intense use of firecrackers, while local media have also pointed to reports over problems for senior citizens, young infants, and pets.
Many serious injuries including amputations and even deaths have been blamed on the illegal use of firecrackers in Cyprus, especially around the Easter holidays.
