Hundreds of registered buildings in Lefkara declared dilapidated and dangerous

The mayor of Lefkara, Sophoklis Sophokleous, said on Monday that there are hundreds of abandoned and dilapidated buildings in the town and nearby villages on Cyprus, including protected structures. According to him, municipal requests and proposals to the ministries have gone unanswered.

Sophokleous noted that a significant portion of the dangerous buildings belong to Turkish Cypriots or have been left by owners living abroad. In Pano Lefkara alone, there are 555 registered buildings; about 100 of them are owned by Turkish Cypriots, and many are in critical condition. In some cases, the municipality has had to demolish structures at risk of collapsing.

The mayor recalled the recent collapse in Limassol that killed two people and called for urgent inspections. He said he had asked the president of the Autonomous Region of Larnaca to inspect all buildings and publish construction permits, but received no response. The municipality also points to a lack of resources and authority to protect the public.

Residents are advised to exercise caution near abandoned buildings and report visible damage to the municipality. Lefkara authorities insist on strict legal measures and systematic inspections to prevent potential casualties and preserve the architectural heritage.