Civil Defence personnel are conducting internal inspections of shelters across the city and district of Larnaca in order to identify potential problems and deficiencies, officials said.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), Andreas Efthymiou-Soulis, deputy director of the Civil Defence regional directorates for Larnaca and Famagusta, said the shelters had already undergone an initial external inspection to assess accessibility and general condition. Authorities have now moved to a second phase focusing on the interior of the facilities.
The inspections are examining cleanliness, accessibility and overall suitability for emergency use. Officials are also checking whether the spaces are being used as storage areas, a common issue since many shelters are privately owned basements originally constructed for personal use but later designated as civil defence shelters.
Shelter numbers across the district
Efthymiou-Soulis said there are 138 public shelters in Larnaca, along with five shared and 32 private facilities.
In Aradippou there are 39 public shelters, six private shelters and one shared facility. Across other communities in the district, including Livadia, Meneou, Kiti, Dromolaxia and Psematismenos, there are a further 33 public shelters and five private ones.
He clarified that these facilities are intended for temporary protection rather than long-term accommodation. Citizens are expected to remain in shelters only for a limited period until an alert is lifted.
Possible legislative changes
Asked whether legislation might need to change to introduce obligations or incentives for owners of private shelters, Efthymiou-Soulis said the issue would need to be examined by other state services.
He added that the current inspections may highlight matters that require further study and decisions by the relevant authorities.
Efthymiou-Soulis also urged citizens seeking guidance on safety and self-protection measures to consult the Civil Defence website for official information.
Municipality seeks additional spaces
Meanwhile, Aradippou mayor Christodoulos Partou said the municipality is trying to identify additional spaces that could potentially be used as shelters and added to the Civil Defence register.
He said municipal authorities held an emergency meeting with Civil Defence representatives on Tuesday to discuss the condition of existing shelters. On-site visits will follow to assess what improvements may be required if they need to be used.
Partou noted that many shelters require upgrades and that Civil Defence officials are expected to discuss necessary improvements with property owners.
However, he said most shelters are privately owned and there is currently no legislation requiring owners to maintain them in a usable condition. Legal changes may therefore be needed, possibly including incentives for owners alongside certain obligations to ensure shelters remain properly equipped and maintained.
Source: CNA