Newsroom
An 18-year-old Romanian woman, Iulia Michaela Vasile, died Wednesday night in a car accident in Larnaca. A young man, also 18, from Jordan, sustained minor injuries in the crash. According to police, the driver and another passenger in the car fled the scene on foot following the accident. Both are now wanted by authorities, who have issued arrest warrants for their involvement.
The accident occurred around 7:20 p.m. on Artemis Avenue, as the car was traveling from the old GSZ toward the Faneromeni traffic lights. Police reports state that, for reasons yet to be determined, the car swerved left near Aristomenous Street, hit the curb, struck a direction sign, and collided with a tree before coming to a stop against another tree. Iulia Michaela Vasile, a permanent resident of Cyprus, suffered fatal injuries and was declared dead at Larnaca General Hospital.
The Jordanian teenager, who was riding in the back seat with Vasile, was taken to Larnaca General Hospital, treated for his injuries, and discharged. However, he was then arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft and conspiracy to commit a felony, as authorities allege the car was reported stolen by its owner earlier that day around 1:30 p.m.
Haris Hatzigiasemi, Larnaca’s Assistant Police Director, confirmed that police are actively searching for the driver and another passenger who abandoned the scene after the accident. Larnaca’s traffic police are handling the accident investigation, while the police department is also looking into the reported car theft.
The Jordanian suspect is reportedly an asylum seeker. Police are continuing their efforts to locate the other suspects as investigations proceed.
