Three inmates deliberately set fire to their cells and the corridor of a high-security wing at the Central Prisons in Cyprus, triggering an emergency evacuation late Sunday night.
The incident occurred around 10:15 p.m. local time, according to initial reports from local media outlets including In-Cyprus and the Cyprus Mail.
Authorities moved quickly to evacuate the affected wing, though details regarding injuries or the extent of structural damage remain unclear.
The deliberate nature of the fire suggests a coordinated act of unrest or protest within the facility.
While the immediate safety of staff and other inmates appears to have been prioritized through the evacuation, the event highlights ongoing security challenges in high-security detention environments.
Cyprus prison authorities are expected to launch an investigation into the cause of the fire and the motives behind the inmates' actions.