In his statements to KYPE, the Deputy Spokesman of the Famagusta Police Directorate, Giannos Kapnoulas, stated that "yesterday in the sea of Ayia Napa, about 30 - 40 dead sheep were seen. According to the Port Police, the sheep were probably thrown from a cargo ship that was carrying animals and due to the sea turmoil that prevailed in the area in the last few days, several sheep seem to have been trampled ".
In order to prevent the occurrence of diseases in the remaining animals on the ship, it seems that the crew threw into the sea the dead sheep which were washed ashore from the area of Agia Thekla in Sotira to Cape Greco. The event immediately mobilized the competent health services and the local authorities, which with the aim of protecting the health of the inhabitants, rushed to the collection and burial of the dead sheep.
The veterinary services of the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment are disinfecting the area where the dead sheep were washed away while investigations have begun in order to determine the causes of death of the animals and whether they carry any disease. At the same time, the security authorities are examining the list of cargo ships found in the last 24 hours off the south of Cyprus.
In addition, six dead sheep have been found since the beginning of the month on the beach of the British Cape Bases and it seems that these are animals that were thrown into the sea either by the same ship that threw the sheep in the Ayia Napa sea area, or for another ship carrying animals .
According to information, the coastguard "Akritas" of the Port Police in a regular patrol in the area of Ayia Napa yesterday found dead sheep in the sea and immediately notified the local authorities.
However, the Municipality of Ayia Napa had already been informed about the existence of the dead animals in the sea since yesterday and crews proceeded to their burial and burial. Yesterday 22 dead sheep were collected and today another 14.
Source: OnlyCY