chrysopolitissa — A house in the Chrysopolitissa area of Larnaca has been fully demolished after parts of its structure collapsed earlier this week. Fortunately, the three women living there managed to escape without injury.
The demolition began on Thursday, according to Angelos Hadjicharalambous, president of the Larnaca local district government (EOA). “The demolition was completed yesterday, Friday,” he confirmed. The house next door is now slated for demolition as well.
In a proactive measure, the EOA has sent a notice to residents of a second apartment building in the area, but it will not require immediate evacuation. Owners will receive a week’s notice to address safety hazards in their properties.
Hadjicharalambous reassured the public that the EOA is committed to ensuring safety, stating, “We are moving forward with all means at our disposal to ensure the safety of buildings or proceed with their demolition if deemed necessary.” He also addressed concerns regarding another potentially dangerous building located in the Faneromeni area, where forty residents had been previously informed to evacuate due to security concerns. These residents have since found alternative accommodation.
Regarding the Faneromeni building, Hadjicharalambous mentioned that the EOA will collaborate with the owners to seal and fence the structure to protect passersby. Furthermore, he indicated that the EOA may take legal action if the building owners fail to secure the site.
The local authorities are also addressing concerns about four additional apartment buildings, with letters being sent to their owners next week. This includes the building from which three migrants jumped, resulting in the tragic death of a 45-year-old Congolese man on Wednesday.
Hadjicharalambous stressed that property owners have a responsibility to address any risks associated with their buildings. “They must proceed to take measures to remove the risk of their properties and the necessary works for the repair of buildings so that there is no risk for their tenants,” he concluded.
