MUNICIPALITY HANDED OVER ENVELOPES WITH DETAILS OF DANGEROUS BUILDINGS - THREE DAYS AFTER GERMASOGEIA TRAGEDY - EOA LARNACA RECEIVED A MESS - Filenews 20/4 by Natasa Christoforou
The data released on Monday afternoon (20/4) by the Larnaca District Self-Government Organization (EOAL) in relation to the dangerous buildings of the city and the province only raise questions. The case of a Municipality in the province of Larnaca, which submitted the files on the dangerous buildings on Holy Tuesday, that is, three days after the inconceivable tragedy of Germasogeia in which two of our fellow human beings lost their lives from the collapse of a building, which had been deemed dangerous, causes a great sensation.
As can be seen from the data cited, EOAL received a mess in terms of dangerous buildings, since there are cases pending since the... 2018. A total of 563 dangerous buildings are recorded in the province of Larnaca, with the vast majority (359) related to cases inherited by EOAL from the Larnaca District Administration.
It is recalled that in a previous announcement, the Organization had stated that in the city of Larnaca there are 15-20 buildings, in which there are tenants, which are considered dangerous and that is why a special team has been set up with the Municipality of Larnaca and the inspections started today.
This is the announcement of EOAL:
In relation to recent publications regarding the issue of dangerous buildings, the Larnaca District Self-Government Organization (EOAL) deems it appropriate to cite the actual data, as they were received at the beginning of its operation.
On April 1, 2025, the date on which dangerous buildings came under the competence of the EOAs, the Agency received a total of 563 recorded cases of allegedly dangerous buildings, which were transferred by the previous competent licensing authorities.
The distribution of cases, according to the registers received, is as follows:
• 359 from the Larnaca District Administration
• 104 from the Municipality of Larnaca
• 23 from the Municipality of Aradippou
• 36 from the Municipality of Lefkara
• 32 from the Municipality of Dromolaxia – Meneou
• 9 from the Municipality of Athienou
Findings from the data received
During the evaluation of the data received, significant shortcomings and ambiguities have been identified that substantially affect the possibility of immediate action:
– The existing registers include cases of buildings that have been classified as "very dangerous", "urgent" or "extremely dangerous", but without sufficient documentation of the procedure under which this classification was made.
– Apart from the electronic registers, no physical files were found for all cases, with the exception of those of the Larnaca District Administration.
– The physical files concerning Municipal cases were delivered to the EOAL only on March 31, 2026, i.e. a significant period of time after the start of the Organization's operation, and the material received is extensive and needs a thorough study. In another case of a Municipality, the physical files were delivered on April 14, 2026, while in other cases of Municipalities it has been found that there are no physical files available.
As an indication of the situation, it is noted that there are complaints dating back to 2018, for which it does not appear that any actions were taken.
It follows from the above that it is not clear how the cases were handled by the previous authorities, nor whether and what measures were taken, whether they worked, or what is the current condition of the buildings.
In a significant number of cases, there are insufficient contact details of the owners or holders, beyond the name. Many buildings concern old registrations, properties with unknown owners, foreign residents or cases of multiple heirs.
Many of these buildings are abandoned or unused, making it particularly difficult to identify those responsible even through other services.
Based on the data received, the cases are characterized by incomplete administrative files and the absence of a documented record of actions. Therefore, it was not possible to take immediate substantial measures without prior investigation and full documentation of each case.
In this context, the EOA Larnaca is already systematically recording, evaluating and completing the files, giving priority to cases that pose an increased risk, with the aim of effective management and ensuring public safety.
