Removing the collapsed canopy in Strovolos cost €3,000; driver to foot the bill

The cause of the collapse of the canopy over the roadway on Archbishop Kyprianou Street in Strovolos has been established: a large vehicle crashed into the structure. The driver fled the scene without reporting the incident and is now being charged with careless and inattentive driving.

The canopy collapsed on the evening of 17 September on one of the city’s central streets. Police, the Nicosia Fire Service and Strovolos municipal services were dispatched to the scene. Mayor Stavros Stavrinidis urged residents via social media to avoid the area where possible and follow police instructions.

Before the debris was cleared, the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) cut off power to the area: it was dangerous to work near the damaged structure while it was energised. The remaining parts of the canopy, which could have collapsed again, were removed using an excavator operated by a private construction company, with Nicosia’s technical service also joining the work.

The removal cost €3,000. The authorities intend to recover the money from the driver whose actions caused the structure to collapse. According to the Fire Service’s findings, the canopy’s detachment was a direct result of being hit by a large vehicle.