Limassol, Cyprus. A residential building in the Yermasoyia area of Limassol is scheduled to be evacuated due to security concerns, local media reported on Friday. Authorities said any enforcement will depend on legal procedures, including a court order.
Building listed among dangerous properties
Phileleftheros reported that the apartment complex is among 780 buildings in Limassol deemed dangerous by the Limassol district government (EOA), with 80 reportedly on the verge of collapse. The publication said tenants were informed at the end of the week that they must leave the premises by Monday.
Deputy mayor cites past incidents and lack of response
Deputy mayor of Yermasoyia Christos Papamichael described the building as “the most dangerous building in Yermasoyia, where we have had balcony falls in the past.” He said the owner had not responded to repeated warnings from municipal authorities.
Papamichael said the owner had indicated repairs would not be carried out unless a building permit was issued for requested modifications, which he said concerned the construction of an additional floor.
Prior attendance by police and services
Papamichael said police and other services had previously attended the building after it was found that illegal migrants were living there.
EOA letter and legal steps
The Limassol EOA sent a letter to the owners of one of the dangerous apartment buildings in Limassol, giving them until Monday to evacuate the building, otherwise authorities would proceed with sealing it off.
Limassol EOA president Yiannis Tsouloftas said “the evacuation of buildings deemed dangerous can only be carried out after obtaining a relevant court order,” adding that reports of immediate removals “do not correspond to reality.” He confirmed that a letter had been issued requesting evacuation by Monday and said that if this is not followed, authorities would have to follow legal procedure to obtain a court order.
How should authorities balance urgent safety concerns with the legal requirements for evacuating residents?
