Authorities are removing two vehicles that became trapped in Larnaca’s salt lake last week, with the recovery operation having begun at 7am on Wednesday, led by Larnaca municipality and a crane form a private company.

Police confirmed that one vehicle appeared to enter the shallow edge of the lake and become trapped, while a second tried to assist and also got stuck. One of the vehicles has already been successfully towed, while efforts continue to free the second. The process has been slow, as the towing cable keeps breaking during the operation.

Once freed, the vehicles will be taken to Larnaca municipality’s storage facilities, and will only be released to owners when they have paid both the costs for their removal from the lake and a fine already imposed on them. The cars will remain there until the private company responsible for the recovery is fully compensated for the operation, which is estimated to cost between €5,000 and €8,000 in total.

Larnaca municipality said the operation is being carried out by a company with heavy machinery to remove the vehicles from one of Cyprus’ most sensitive natural habitats.

“Today, the company will try to free the vehicles. If this is not possible, another attempt will be made on Thursday,” Larnaca mayor Andreas Vyras said ahead of the operation.

He added that while the removal is challenging, he is optimistic it will succeed.

Deputy mayor of Larnaca, Iasonas Iasonides, said:

“The operation seems successful, but there are delays due to the difficulty, the cars are submerged in mud and need to be lifted. It’s a tough job, but it’s ongoing. We hope that by 2pm, at the latest, both cars will have been removed.”

The reason the vehicles entered the lake is unclear although reports say the first driver has said he was trying to get better photographs of the sunset. Municipal health services confirmed speaking with one of the vehicle owners, who stated he had driven closer to the lake “to take photographs and capture better footage with his camera”.

The penalty was issued under environmental protection regulations after the cars became stuck. The game and fauna service has already fined the first driver €2,000 for environmental damage caused to the protected habitat under the law on the protection and management of wild birds and game.

“The priority is to minimise environmental impact. We must ensure any recovery method causes the least possible disturbance to the birds and the habitat,” the environment department told Cyprus Mail.

Larnaca municipality reiterated that vehicle access to the salt lake is forbidden and said additional signage and patrols may be introduced to prevent further incidents. It also issued a statement expressing “strong concern” over the illegal entry of vehicles into the area.

Larnaca salt lake is a Natura 2000 protected site, located near the city centre and airport.

It is home to thousands of flamingos and other species each winter.

Driving into the lake is strictly prohibited, as tyre tracks and soil compression can destroy the salt crust and damage microorganisms vital to the wetland’s balance. The lake is part of the Ramsar Convention and has been under strict protection since 1997 under national and European legislation.

Recent rainfall in Larnaca has increased water levels, further complicating the recovery efforts, according to municipal officials. The department of wildlife and fauna previously imposed fines for activities that harmed the protected site, under laws governing the protection and management of wild birds and game.

Despite repeated warnings, information campaigns, and signage, some people continue to enter the area unlawfully, putting the fragile ecosystem at risk.