The Larnaca District Organisation of Self-Government (EOA) has confirmed that a three-day deadline issued to owners of a dangerous apartment building near Larnaca port expired on Tuesday, June 23, without full compliance.
The building, described as the largest in Larnaca, consists of five blocks with 79 apartments and 10 commercial units, owned by around 90 individuals.
Possible evacuation under consideration
EOA Larnaca President Angelos Hadjicharalambous said owners were initially given a short deadline to begin procedures to remove the building’s risk of collapse.
He added that although the deadline has passed, authorities may grant a further 2–3 days if owners appoint an engineer and begin remedial action.
If no progress is made, the EOA may proceed with evacuation orders and seek a court ruling if necessary.
Previous fatal incident linked to building
The apartment complex has been under scrutiny since 27 May, when an undocumented migrant died and two others were injured after jumping from balconies during an immigration enforcement operation.
Authorities have since classified the structure as dangerous for potential collapse.
Severe living conditions reported
According to inspections, officials reported extremely poor living conditions inside the building, including overcrowding, with up to 10 people living in some apartments.
Illegal electricity connections and unauthorised occupation by migrants were also identified, alongside unsanitary conditions and blocked emergency exits.
Wider safety concerns in Larnaca
The EOA Larnaca is preparing similar measures for additional buildings, with warnings expected to be issued to owners of around 30 more structures, most of them inhabited apartment blocks.
Authorities have taken over responsibility for 563 previously identified dangerous buildings across the district.
Hundreds of buildings under monitoring
The updated registry now includes 889 potentially dangerous buildings in Larnaca, covering properties across municipalities and community clusters.
So far, 150 buildings have been assigned for visual inspection, with 100 reports returned. Of these, dozens have been classified as having varying levels of structural risk, including 23 cases identified as posing a visible risk of collapse.
Categorisation and enforcement measures
Buildings are categorised from A to C based on structural risk, with Category C representing a clear risk of collapse.
Officials said enforcement measures include mandatory repairs, evacuation orders, fines, and legal action where property owners fail to comply.
Next steps
Authorities said further inspections and technical assessments are ongoing, along with digitalisation of records and coordination with engineers, contractors and relevant agencies.
The EOA stressed that safety remains the top priority, particularly for occupied buildings deemed structurally unsafe.
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