Cyprus opposition party AKEL has criticised the government over malfunctions in the civil defence siren system, raising concerns about emergency preparedness and calling for detailed answers.
The party expressed alarm following failures recorded during the scheduled activation of sirens marking the anniversaries of the 1974 coup and the Turkish invasion, events observed annually across the island.
AKEL said the problems went beyond the symbolic role of the sirens as a reminder of the country’s traumatic past, warning they cast doubt on the operational readiness of a system intended to protect the public in emergencies.
According to the party, sirens in several areas of Cyprus either failed to sound or experienced disruptions during activation, prompting what it described as an urgent need for transparency on the system’s condition.
AKEL parliamentary spokesman Giorgos Loukaides has sent a letter to the Interior Minister requesting detailed information on the operational status of sirens in all districts, the extent of territorial coverage, maintenance checks and works carried out, as well as plans for potential upgrades or replacement.
The party noted that similar issues have been recorded in the past, referring also to recent natural disasters such as large wildfires that underscored the importance of an effective early warning mechanism.
AKEL called on the state to take the necessary steps to ensure the civil defence siren system is fully functional, reliable and ready to respond to any emergency scenario.
