Newsroom
A 26-year-old man seriously injured in a car crash in Strovolos may have been hurt by a defective airbag that had been under recall, authorities revealed Thursday.
Initial findings suggest the car’s Takata airbag exploded during the accident, a malfunction linked to dozens of deaths and injuries worldwide in recent years. The airbag manufacturer has been at the center of one of the largest automotive recalls in history.
Speaking on state broadcaster RIK’s morning radio show, Giorgos Loukas, head of the Road Transport Department (TOM), confirmed that the vehicle involved is on the official recall list for defective Takata airbags.
Loukas said that the car owner had been sent three separate warnings, two from the government (in February and June) and one from the manufacturer, but never responded or booked an appointment to have the airbag replaced.
“We are now waiting for final reports from the electromechanical inspection and the police to confirm the cause of the airbag explosion,” Loukas added.
The incident has reignited concerns about driver awareness and compliance with safety recalls in Cyprus, where officials say many car owners ignore warnings, even when the risks are life-threatening.
Authorities are urging all vehicle owners to check whether their cars are affected by the Takata recall and to take immediate action if they are.
