The bodies of two young brothers who died after becoming trapped inside their father’s car remained at the scene for several hours on Sunday because the area falls within the Dhekelia British Sovereign Base Area, Xylofagou community president Giorgos Ioulianos has said.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency, Ioulianos said the children, aged eight and ten, were not removed from the scene until around 9.30pm, pending the arrival of a forensic examiner from the British Bases to inspect the area.
He said the case had left the Xylofagou community devastated, with residents gathering at the scene to offer assistance after the children were found.
According to Ioulianos, the two boys were in Cyprus on holiday to visit their father, who lived in Xylofagou. He said the father and his partner left for work before 7am on Sunday, leaving the children alone at the house.
At some point, the boys left the house and got into the father’s car, which had been unlocked. Ioulianos said that, for reasons still under investigation, they became trapped inside and were unable to get out.
He added that the children were not familiar with the vehicle and did not know how it operated.
The father’s partner found the two boys inside the car at around 2.30pm, when she returned home from work, Ioulianos said. Neighbours who rushed to the scene, together with the woman, broke one of the car windows to open the vehicle and remove the children.
Ioulianos said the community informed the British Bases Police that it was available to assist in any way needed during the investigation.
“The residents of Xylofagou are devastated by this tragic development and the unjust loss of two young children,” he said.
Asked about the family, Ioulianos said the father and his partner were migrant workers. He added that the case again showed that young children should not be left alone without supervision, regardless of age.
Source: CNA
