Older structures in Cyprus need to be inspected right away

Older structures in Cyprus need to be inspected right away, and government officials should put in place safeguards to stop future occurrences like the collapse of two Paphos balconies. The Scientific and Technical Chamber of Cyprus (ETEK) urged authorities to review outdated structures once more, many of which present a risk since they need upkeep.

Large portions of the island's property list consist of older structures that weren't constructed to modern standards, according to a statement from ETEK, the state's statutory technical adviser. It said that many were built using materials that are no longer considered appropriate before anti-seismic building techniques were developed. ETEK contends that issues have gotten worse as a result of structures not receiving routine maintenance, which is frequently the primary cause of building collapse.

According to ETEK, precautions should be made to protect structures against damage caused by weather, earthquakes, and other disasters. The Chamber has made a specific recommendation to the Interior Ministry regarding the institutionalization of yearly building inspections.

Following the most recent instances, ETEK announced that it would restart a series of instructional workshops for its members on checking older properties. It urges the state to launch informational and public awareness campaigns right away about the dangers associated with failing to maintain buildings, particularly older ones, and the necessity of taking steps to safeguard the safety of tenants, which is the duty of every owner.