The year 2025 began quite literally with a car crashing into a home—a symbol of the challenges that would define the months ahead. It proved a difficult year on both fronts: 44 lives were lost in road collisions, whilst at least nine died due to inadequate housing and energy poverty.
Beyond the cold, a changing climate brought devastation in the form of a deadly wildfire in Limassol and prolonged drought. Farmers grew increasingly concerned about the island’s water security, prompting the priests at Kykkos Monastery to hold a procession with the icon of the Virgin Mary Eleousa for the first time in 35 years, praying for rain.
Cyprus found itself deeply entangled in the conflicts engulfing its neighbourhood throughout 2025. Supporters praised President Christodoulides for the country’s expanded regional role, whilst critics condemned the government’s warming relations with Israel and its handling of population movements triggered by these wars.
Yet the year also brought renewed hope. In a landslide, Turkish Cypriots voted out hardliner Ersin Tatar in favour of pro-solution candidate Tufan Erhurman, raising prospects of breaking the Cyprus problem deadlock after 51 years.
These are the year’s defining moments, captured in pictures:
A vehicle rests against a damaged residential property following a New Year’s Day crash in Limassol, Cyprus, January 1, 2025. Ioanna MantzipaDemonstrators hold Cypriot and Palestinian flags during a protest against Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Cyprus in Nicosia, January 9, 2025. MATTPRESS/George ChristophorouPeople stand behind a fence at the Pournara migrant reception centre in Cyprus, January 14, 2025. MATTPRESS/George ChristophorouBullet damage is visible on a rental vehicle allegedly used by a police officer during the fatal shooting of migrant Shoaib Khan in Cyprus, January 15, 2025. MATTPRESSDairy farmers holding shepherd’s crooks protest outside the Presidential Palace in Nicosia, demanding government support, February 2, 2025. MATTPRESS/George ChristophorouWorkers from the Environment Department remove chemical waste barrels from the Astrasol factory in Latsia, February 12, 2025. More than 65 people died of cancer during the decades of the factory’s operation in the area. MATTPRESS/George ChristophorouThe charred remains of a residential building are seen following a fire in Limassol, that killed a family of five on February 15, 2025. The deaths sparked outrage against housing insecurity and inequality in Cyprus, and specifically, Limassol. Ioanna MantzipaA carnival king figure is displayed on a vehicle during a pro-Palestine protest in Nicosia, February 22, 2025. MATTPRESS/George ChristophorouProtesters demonstrate against a proposed bill regulating public gatherings in Nicosia, February 26, 2025. Unknown photographer.The interior of a storeroom that was turned into a residence in Episkopi, Limassol, where two foreign nationals were found dead, February 26, 2025. The men died of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning after using a charcoal grill to keep warm and cook. Ioanna MantzipaA Greek flag is seen during a demonstration in Nicosia commemorating victims of the Tempi train disaster, February 28, 2025. MATTPRESS/George ChristophorouThe father of deceased Cypriot Kyprianos Papaioannou, who died in the Tempi train disaster, attends a memorial protest in Nicosia, February 28, 2025. MATTPRESS/George ChristophorouThe Dutch Royal couple inspect potato crops during a visit to farms in Xylofagou, Cyprus, March 4, 2025. Natasa ChristoforouAn Orthodox priest walks past a Byzantine religious icon during the reopening of the Byzantine Museum in Nicosia, March 9, 2025. MATTPRESS/George ChristophorouA screengrab from a Joint Rescue Coordination Centre video shows migrants in the water off Cyprus, where more than 10 people were believed to have drowned amid accusations of government pushbacks, March 19, 2025. JRCCThe Troodos Space Observatory is illuminated against a starlit sky in Cyprus, April 4, 2025. Cyprus News AgencyA damaged bicycle lies on a Limassol road following a fatal collision that killed a cyclist, April 16, 2025. Cyprus recorded 44 road deaths in 2025, as of December 24, 2025. Cyprus News AgencyPeople gather at the site where a young man died during the Lambratzia Easter custom, a traditional celebration in Cyprus, April 19, 2025. MATTPRESS/George ChristophorouWorshippers pay their respects before a portrait of Pope Francis at a church in Nicosia following news of the pontiff’s death, April 22, 2025. MATTPRESS/George ChristophorouFormer President Nicos Anastasiades arrives to testify in a corruption investigation in Cyprus, April 28, 2025. MATTPRESS/George ChristophorouTheo Evan performs for Cyprus during the Eurovision Song Contest semi-final in Basel, Switzerland, May 13, 2025. European Pressphoto Agency (EPA)Government officials hold an extraordinary cabinet session on Middle East tensions following an exchange of attacks between Iran and Israel, June 13, 2025. MATTPRESS/George ChristophorouMissiles are visible in the night sky over Cyprus as Iran launched an attack on Israel, June 13, 2025. Screengrab from Facebook videoThe renovated old GSP stadium is inaugurated in Nicosia, featuring modern facilities and amphitheatre-style seating, June 14, 2025. MATTPRESS/George ChristophorouIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inspects a guard of honour during his official visit to Cyprus, accompanied by President Nikos Christodoulides, June 16, 2025. MATTPRESS/George ChristophorouAn Orthodox Jewish man queues at an airport terminal as Israeli nationals flock to Cyprus during a period of heightened tension in the Middle East, June 18, 2025. MATTPRESSA woman and child walk along Larnaca’s Mackenzie Beach as a commercial aircraft approaches for landing, July 6, 2025. MATTPRESS/George ChristophorouA full moon rises behind a statue commemorating an EOKA fighter in Cyprus, July 10, 2025. MATTPRESS/George ChristophorouMembers of an investigating committee announce the results of their probe into deadly Takata airbags in Cyprus, July 11, 2025. MATTPRESS/George ChristophorouA major wildfire rages in the hills above Limassol as seen from Lady’s Mile, July 23, 2025. Ioanna MantzipaThe site where two people burned to death on a roadside during the major Limassol wildfire, July 23, 2025. Ioanna MantzipaA man attempts to extinguish the advancing Limassol wildfire using basic equipment, July 24, 2025. MATTPRESS/George ChristophorouDevastated and blackened hillsides are visible following the major Limassol wildfire that swept through the region, July 25, 2025. MATTPRESS/George ChristophorouCitizens protest outside the Presidential Palace in Nicosia over the government’s handling of the deadly Limassol wildfire, August 4, 2025. MATTPRESS/George ChristophorouAmerican fire investigation experts examine evidence at the Limassol wildfire site, August 7, 2025. MATTPRESS/George ChristophorouA burnt cigarette butt, believed to have started the catastrophic Limassol wildfire, is displayed with a measurement ruler by ATF investigators, August 2025. ATFThe Greek and Cypriot national basketball teams stand for their national anthems during a EuroBasket group stage match in Limassol, August 30, 2025. MATTPRESS/George ChristophorouTrade union members rally in Nicosia demanding the restoration of cost-of-living allowance (COLA) adjustments, September 11, 2025. MATTPRESS/George ChristophorouA participant is seen during Nicosia’s bicommunal Pride march, September 27, 2025. MATTPRESS/George ChristophorouPafos FC players defend against Bayern Munich during their Champions League match at Limassol’s Alphamega Stadium, September 30, 2025. MATTPRESS/George ChristophorouPolice in riot gear attack pro-Palestine protesters during a demonstration in Nicosia, October 2, 2025. MATTPRESS/George ChristophorouTwo vehicles sit immobilised in the dried bed of Larnaca Salt Lake, October 10, 2025. MATTPRESSThe luxury vehicle belonging to murdered businessman Stavros Demosthenous is seen shortly after his daylight shooting in Limassol, October 17, 2025.Tufan Erhurman celebrates following his election victory in occupied north Cyprus, October 19, 2025. MATTPRESS/George ChristophorouPresident Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman pose for photographs with UNFICYP chief Khassim Diagne, during their first official meeting, November 20, 2025. MATTPRESS/George ChristophorouA crowd participates in a religious procession in the community of Panagia, Paphos, praying for the end of the drought and the onset of rain, November 22, 2025. Photographer unknown A white convertible vehicle is partially submerged in the sea at the Karnagio area in Limassol after a man reportedly pushed it into the water, November 23, 2025. Ioanna MantzipaDamaged furniture and solar panels lie in a residential yard following a tornado that struck Avgorou community, causing significant property damage, November 25, 2025. Natasa ChristoforouPolice officers remove gas cylinders from a Limassol property after a woman threatened suicide over her home’s foreclosure, December 3, 2025. Ioanna MantzipaPresident Nikos Christodoulides visits Kyiv, Ukraine, standing before a memorial wall displaying photographs of fallen Ukrainian soldiers, December 4, 2025. Press and Information Office (PIO)/Stavros IoannidesPresident Nikos Christodoulides, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis address media during a trilateral summit in Jerusalem, December 22, 2025. Press and Information Office (PIO)/Stavros IoannidesA banner depicting Jesus Christ is displayed at a protest against censorship of artist George Gavriel’s work in Nicosia, December 22, 2025. Peter EramianSotiroula Spanou, one of Cyprus’s first female volunteer conscripts, speaks to media alongside President Nikos Christodoulides during a National Guard ceremony, December 23, 2025. PIO/Stavros Ioannides
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