Nicosia alarmed over low flying chopper

Nicosia residents were alarmed over a helicopter flying at an unusually low altitude on Friday morning, with police saying the chopper was on a traffic recognizance mission.

A police helicopter was seen flying very low between 7am and 7:30am over areas of Engomi and Strovolos in Nicosia, with some residents becoming concerned.

Some residents contacted Kathimerini Cyprus and provided video and images of what was a very unusual sighting for a very low-altitude flight in the morning.

According to Kathimerini, Cyprus police ordered a recognizance mission during morning rush hour in order to collect traffic data and suggest traffic jam solutions to local authorities.

Local media also reported a road accident on Kyriacou Matsi, near the Presidential Palace, causing heavy traffic and serious bottlenecks in the area during morning rush hour.

Traffic jams and bottlenecks are notorious in Engomi and Strovolos, while people often spend more time in their cars in idle position than driving during morning and afternoon rush hours.