Newsroom
Authorities in Nicosia have classified 268 buildings as hazardous, with four cases considered urgent enough to require evacuation in the immediate future, according to the District Local Government Organisation (EOA).
These newly recorded cases add to a large number of unresolved issues transferred to the Organisation from municipalities and the District Administration, bringing the total backlog to 1,466 properties.
Officials estimate that addressing safety risks in the identified buildings will cost around €2.3 million, a figure that does not include ongoing operational expenses. At the same time, funding remains limited, as a €2 million government grant is intended to cover all district organisations over a two-year period.
Despite the severity of the situation, no evacuations have taken place so far. Many of the buildings deemed unsafe are still occupied, increasing concerns about potential risks to residents and the urgency for intervention.
One of the four critical cases involves a property in central Nicosia, where an evacuation order has already been issued and is expected to be enforced shortly. The remaining three buildings are located in housing estates. Two of these fall under the “KtiZo” housing scheme and were the subject of a lengthy legal process lasting from 2023 to 2026, which ultimately ruled against the Organisation. The final case concerns a property without ownership titles, currently under state responsibility through the Department of Town Planning and Housing.
The Organisation states that it is applying existing legislation and using available mechanisms to safeguard public safety. This includes on-site inspections conducted by civil engineers, often through outsourced services, as well as formal notices and orders requiring property owners to eliminate hazards within set deadlines.
Where necessary, immediate precautionary steps are taken, such as securing buildings, providing structural support, or removing dangerous elements.
Officials stress that stronger legal tools and increased funding are essential to effectively manage the situation and ensure the safety of residents and the wider public.
