Minister intervenes to clear illegal caravan occupation at Larnaca public beach

Local LarnacaTop News Minister intervenes to clear illegal caravan occupation at Larnaca public beach 747799312 1648112346293983 4931937864227599283 N 1536x1248 (1) Relevant News Minister intervenes to clear illegal caravan occupation at Larnaca public beach 18 July 2026 Fourth suspect arrested under international operation over alleged Hamas plot in Larnaca 18 July 2026 Russian strike hits foreign vessel at Odesa port, leaving one dead and multiple injured 18 July 2026 Natasa Christoforou 18 July 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Severe public backlash following a report by Phileleftheros exposed the unlawful occupation of a public beach in Larnaca by private caravans, prompting immediate intervention from the Ministry of Interior to resolve a jurisdictional deadlock over enforcement responsibilities. Following a direct intervention by Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou, formal instructions were dispatched to the Larnaca District Administration to serve immediate eviction notices to the violators. On Saturday afternoon, representatives from the Larnaca District Administration, escorted by police officers, distributed the notices at the site. According to information provided to philenews by the Ministry of Interior, authorities distributed or posted a total of 27 official warning notices onto caravans and other illegal temporary structures on the beach. The individuals occupying the area were ordered to vacate the premises immediately, with authorities warning that an enforcement operation to forcibly clear the coast would commence if they failed to comply. The Official Eviction Notice According to the official text of the enforcement notice, the Competent Authority determined that the placement, installation, and maintenance of caravans and other private objects within the beach zone had been carried out without the required statutory permit or approval. The notice explicitly stated that these actions violated the provisions of the Beach Protection Law, Chapter 59, alongside its subsequent amendments, decrees, notifications, terms, and regulatory restrictions. The notice outlined that the arbitrary occupation or use of beach space, the positioning of caravans, vehicles, installations, or other objects without a permit, and the obstruction of free public access to the coast are strictly prohibited. It added that any unauthorized intervention or alteration of the coastal environment constitutes a direct breach of current legislation. Furthermore, the Competent Authority informed the owners that maintaining a caravan on the beach—particularly when causing a nuisance, restricting common public use, or generating sanitation, public health, and safety hazards—can constitute a criminal offence under the Public Nuisance provisions of the Penal Code, Chapter 154, in addition to other statutory violations. Consequently, the occupants were ordered to fully remove their caravans and any other personal objects, installations, or structures from the beach immediately, and no later than the end of the day, to restore the site to its original condition. The document warned that in the event of non-compliance within the stated deadline, the Competent Authority would exercise all legal powers without further warning. These measures include the forced removal of the caravans, the full recovery of all operational costs incurred during the clearance and restoration process, the impoundment of the equipment, and the initiation of formal criminal proceedings. Additionally, the notice indicated that if the factual circumstances demonstrate further legal breaches, proceedings could be initiated under other applicable laws, including the Penal Code for offences such as public nuisance, unlawful trespass, property damage, or other punishable acts, alongside traffic regulations in cases of illegal parking. The document concluded by stating that the delivery served as a final warning for immediate compliance. Local Authority Response Following the operation, philenews contacted Larnaca Mayor Andreas Vyras, who expressed his satisfaction with the swift resolution. The mayor extended his official thanks to the Interior Minister for his prompt and decisive intervention to safeguard the public beach. 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