**Title: Limassol Building Where Balconies Collapsed Had Not Been Classified as Dangerous**
In a recent incident in Limassol, two balconies of an apartment block collapsed onto a parked car below, raising concerns about building safety in the area. Limassol district governor Yiannis Tsouloftas confirmed on Tuesday that while the building had not been classified as dangerous, it had been marked by the municipality as “in need of maintenance.”
According to Tsouloftas, the municipality had previously sent a letter to the building's owners, indicating that the structure had sustained damage and disintegration of its external walls, and that the balconies required maintenance. However, it appears that the owners had not taken the necessary steps to address these issues, as Tsouloftas noted that they had been “asked to appoint a civil engineer” to evaluate and rectify the problems identified by the municipality.
The collapse occurred on Monday evening, prompting an immediate response from district government engineers, who arrived at the scene to assess the situation. Tsouloftas personally visited the site, where a contractor from the district government fenced off the area to ensure public safety.
In collaboration with civil defense authorities, the district government facilitated the evacuation of the building, providing temporary accommodation for approximately 20 residents who were displaced by the incident. Tsouloftas stated that engineers were on-site the following morning to examine the structural integrity of the apartment building, determining whether residents could safely return or if the building would remain uninhabited until the situation was resolved.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the balcony collapse. However, this incident marks the second significant building collapse in Limassol in recent months. In April, the Seagate apartment complex in Yermasoyia partially collapsed, resulting in the tragic deaths of two individuals. Following that incident, government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis emphasized the importance of a thorough investigation into the causes and circumstances surrounding the tragedy, highlighting the need for measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
In light of the earlier collapse, the Limassol district government filed an application for an evacuation order for the Seagate building on May 20. However, the order has yet to be issued, as the case is currently progressing through the court system. As a result, the building remains occupied despite its structural issues, raising concerns about the effectiveness of existing legal mechanisms to address dangerous buildings.
Tsouloftas expressed frustration over the slow and ineffective nature of legal tools available to district governments, stating that they do not provide the necessary authority to swiftly resolve issues involving unsafe structures. He called for legislative amendments that would empower district governments to take decisive action regarding buildings deemed unsafe, enabling quicker and more effective responses to protect public safety.
As investigations continue into the recent balcony collapse and the ongoing issues with the Seagate building, residents and officials alike are calling for enhanced safety measures and more robust regulations to ensure the integrity of structures in Limassol and prevent future tragedies.