Nighttime attacks on food delivery drivers in Limassol. Four arrested.

Two food delivery drivers were attacked Sunday evening in Limassol, and another escaped by fleeing on a motorcycle. Police have detained four young men in connection with the incidents: two 16-year-olds, a 17-year-old, and an 18-year-old.

The most serious attack occurred around 8:25 PM in the Germasogeia area. A group of about ten people allegedly attacked a 26-year-old courier with batons and stones, then took his motorcycle, phone, wallet, and other personal belongings. Just over an hour later, another 26-year-old delivery driver was attacked in Mouttayiaka.

Another delivery guy has already left

After receiving the initial report, police dispatched patrols to Germasogeia. Officers observed a group of young people allegedly behaving aggressively towards another delivery driver.

The courier realized the situation and managed to ride away on his motorcycle before another attack occurred.

Upon seeing the police, members of the group fled. Officers detained four people: two 16-year-olds, a 17-year-old, and an 18-year-old. Police are still searching for others who may have been involved in the incident.

One of the 16-year-olds was found to have a payment card, which he could not convincingly explain, according to information presented during the investigation. The 18-year-old, on the other hand, had a canister of irritating gas on his person.

Five days in custody

The four detainees were brought before the Limassol District Court. The hearing regarding the minor suspects was held behind closed doors.

Police requested that all four be detained for eight days. The suspects' lawyers objected to this lengthy period, and the court ultimately issued five-day detention orders.

The detention is intended to enable investigators, among other things, to interview witnesses, secure camera recordings and identify other participants in the incident.

Second attack in Mouttayiaka

The second report came in at approximately 9:40 p.m. from Mouttayiaka. A delivery person fulfilling an order was attacked by an unspecified number of people.

Police are investigating whether the attack in Mouttayiaka was directly linked to the earlier attack in Germasogeia and the attempted attack on another courier.

Investigators are also trying to determine the group's motive. According to information published by "Politis," one of the scenarios being investigated is retaliatory actions. The young people allegedly gathered to take revenge, although some of them may not have even known what the earlier conflict was about.

At this stage, however, this is one of the versions being checked by the police, and not a confirmed cause of the attack.

Attacks on food vendors in Limassol are not isolated

Sunday's incidents are the latest in a series of attacks on food delivery workers.

From January 1 to June 30, 2026, police recorded 24 attacks on delivery drivers in the Republic of Cyprus. Fourteen people were arrested in connection with these cases.

Thirteen of the 24 attacks occurred in the Limassol district. Another six cases were reported in the Nicosia district, four in the Paphos district, and one in the Larnaca district.

By comparison, 23 similar incidents were recorded in all of 2025. This means that the number of attacks in the first six months of 2026 exceeded the total for the entire previous year.

The statistics do not include assaults reported after June 30, including Sunday's incidents in Germasogeia and Mouttayiaka.

Couriers are particularly vulnerable

Delivery drivers working evenings and nights often travel alone. They must also make stops at designated addresses, including in poorly lit or less frequented areas.

Attackers had previously taken motorcycles, electric bikes, phones, wallets, money, and delivered orders. Some of the incidents were also racially motivated.

The police recommend that in situations of immediate danger, avoid confrontation, drive away or go to a safe and well-lit place and call the emergency number 112.

The Limassol Police Department is conducting an investigation. Efforts are underway to identify other individuals who may have been involved in Sunday's events.

Sources: Cyprus News Agency, Politis, Kathimerini, Cyprus Mail