Newsroom
The July wildfire in the mountainous Limassol region caused an estimated €40 million in damages, with the bulk of the costs tied to restoring buildings that were completely destroyed, according to assessments by the Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber (ETEK).
ETEK reported that the average cost to rebuild a fully destroyed structure is €115,000. The Chamber completed evaluations for 650 cases of fire-affected buildings and constructions, delivering the results to the Ministry of Interior. About 90% of the total estimated costs relate to structures that were entirely lost in the blaze.
The Chamber received roughly 760 requests for assessments from the Ministry. Around 100 were excluded because they involved vehicles, equipment, or items outside ETEK’s mandate. Structures that were uninsured or unauthorized were also not assessed.
Of the 650 evaluated cases, about half involved complete destruction, while the remainder suffered partial or minor damage. Minor damage, affecting roughly 220 structures, carried an average restoration cost of €3,700. About 100 cases were classified as moderately or significantly damaged, with an average cost of €30,000 to repair.
ETEK highlighted that restoration costs for fully destroyed buildings varied widely due to differences in size, type, and construction quality. “The estimates reflect the diverse range of structures affected by the wildfire,” the Chamber said.
The assessment process began on 5 August, shortly after a meeting between Minister of Interior Constantinos Ioannou and ETEK President Constantinos Constantinou, who agreed that the Chamber would assist in evaluating fire damage. Teams were rapidly trained and deployed, using a methodology that categorized buildings and constructions and assigned costs per square or linear meter. Partial damage was further classified as minor, mild, moderate, or significant.
Estimates were submitted progressively to the Ministry throughout mid-August, following a process ETEK said ensured speed, transparency, standardization, and traceability. Final decisions on compensation will be made by the Ministry, and beneficiaries retain the right to appeal.
In a statement, Constantinou praised the collaboration between ETEK and professional engineering organizations, noting that the effort demonstrated the ability to provide rapid, scientifically grounded assessments in times of crisis. He also thanked architects, engineers, surveyors, and contractors who contributed to the work.
