According to the updated registry maintained by the Larnaca District Local Government Organisation, a total of 889 potentially dangerous buildings had been officially recorded across the region by May 2026. The scale of the problem has raised serious concerns among local authorities and residents alike.
The highest concentration of problematic properties is located within the Municipality of Larnaca itself, where 427 unsafe buildings have been identified. Significant numbers of dangerous structures have also been recorded in Lefkara, Dromolaxia–Meneou, and Aradippou. The least affected area remains Athienou, where only 12 potentially hazardous buildings have been registered.
Why the Situation Has Become Critical
Following a series of visual inspections, specialists concluded that some buildings pose a genuine risk of collapse. The situation is particularly alarming in residential areas of Larnaca, where dozens of properties continue to be occupied despite serious structural deterioration.
Angelos Hadjicharalambous, head of the Larnaca District Local Government Organisation, stated that 23 residential and 40 non-residential buildings have already been classified as high-risk structures. Some properties are in such poor condition that authorities have initiated immediate evacuation procedures.
One of the most high-profile cases involves the Madona Court apartment building, whose residents have received official notices requiring urgent evacuation. Approximately 40 people are expected to leave the building within the coming days. Social services are already working with affected families to help them secure temporary accommodation.
Another hazardous property, the entertainment venue Club dlux, has been completely closed and sealed following a technical safety inspection.
Inspections Intensified After the Germasogeia Incident
The situation became significantly more urgent following a recent building collapse incident in the Germasogeia area of Limassol. In response, local authorities across Cyprus accelerated inspections of older residential buildings.
According to municipal officials, many of the unsafe properties had gone decades without major repairs or structural upgrades. This is particularly true of ageing apartment blocks, abandoned properties, and former social housing developments.
Additional concern has arisen from the discovery that some dangerous buildings were not included in official registries at all. For example, a property on Stavrodromiou Street in Larnaca, where part of the roof recently collapsed, had not been listed in the database of hazardous structures.
Authorities Acknowledge Resource Shortages
The district administration has openly admitted that local authorities were not fully prepared for the scale of the problem. Responsibility for monitoring unsafe buildings was transferred to regional organisations only in 2025, while funding, technical personnel, and supporting infrastructure remain limited.
Inspections are currently continuing throughout Larnaca District. As early as next week, authorities plan to expand investigations to the village of Lefkara, where several abandoned and unsafe properties—including buildings owned by Turkish Cypriot owners—are expected to be closed.
Experts note that the issue of deteriorating housing stock is not unique to Cyprus. Across many Mediterranean countries, ageing buildings are gradually falling into disrepair due to high humidity, intense heat, salty sea air, and a lack of timely renovation and maintenance.
Who Is Responsible for Unsafe Buildings?
Authorities emphasise that primary responsibility for the technical condition of buildings rests with property owners. Owners of hazardous structures are being urged to carry out repairs and technical inspections as a matter of urgency in order to prevent further incidents.
At the same time, Cyprus’ Ministry of Interior, together with the Municipality of Larnaca, is developing mechanisms to provide temporary accommodation for residents who may be forced to leave their homes. According to preliminary estimates, a clearer picture of the full scale of the problem is expected by the end of May 2026.
However, it is already evident that Cyprus will require a large-scale programme for the renovation of ageing housing stock, along with substantial investment in urban infrastructure safety.