The Limassol fire cost of restoring buildings and structures destroyed in July has been estimated at €40 million, according to the Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber (ETEK).
ETEK announced on Tuesday that it completed assessments for 650 cases of damage from the wildfire in the mountainous area of Limassol on 23 July. The average cost of restoring buildings that were completely destroyed is calculated at €115,000. Around 90% of the overall Limassol fire cost relates to full reconstruction of homes and other structures.
Of the 650 cases examined, about half involved total destruction while the remainder suffered partial damage. Approximately 220 cases were deemed to have minor damage, with an average restoration cost of €3,700, while 100 cases were classified as moderate or significant partial damage, with an average cost of €30,000.
In total, ETEK received some 760 requests from the Ministry of Interior. About 100 were outside its mandate, as they related to motor vehicles, equipment or items not covered by the assessment. Unlicensed or insured structures were also excluded.
Final decisions will be taken by the Ministry of the Interior, which has already announced that beneficiaries have the right to appeal. ETEK President Constantinos Constanti emphasised that the Chamber and professional engineering organisations were able to provide the state with rapid, reliable, and scientifically based estimates to support recovery efforts.
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