Two more unsafe houses in Larnaca are set to be demolished in the coming period for safety reasons, the head of the district local government organisation (EOA), Angelos Hadjicharalambous, said.
The move follows the demolition last month of two other houses in the Sotiros and Chrysopolitissa areas, also deemed dangerous. At the same time, authorities proceeded with the fencing and evacuation of a residential block in the Faneromeni area after securing an evacuation order from Larnaca District Court.
Additional warning signage will be installed around the building to alert passers-by to the risk and ensure public safety.
Hadjicharalambous said the evacuation of the Faneromeni block created significant challenges, particularly in relocating the 40 residents across 24 flats, as well as finding space to store their furniture and personal belongings.
Support for rehousing those affected came from the Interior Ministry, Civil Defence and Larnaca municipality. However, he noted that there was no assistance from the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare.
The EOA chief said there are currently 35 other buildings, including apartment blocks and houses, that require urgent management.
“This means that letters will be sent to property owners in the coming days, asking them to take the necessary measures to eliminate the danger,” he said.
Most of these unsafe properties are located within Larnaca, although some are in the municipality of Dromolaxia–Meneou and other communities in the district.
“If within a specified timeframe owners fail to comply, the organisation will proceed with evacuations, as provided for in such cases,” he added.
Hadjicharalambous warned that further social problems are likely to arise, as the state does not currently provide adequate support for housing those displaced from unsafe buildings.
He concluded by stressing the need to amend legislation to allow district organisations to act more swiftly in such cases.
“We want these bodies to become more practical, so they can address dangerous building cases immediately without delays,” he said.
