Aristos Damianou addresses accountability following building collapse in Germasogeia

Following the fatal collapse of a residential building in Germasogeia, Limassol, which resulted in two deaths, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Internal Affairs, Aristos Damianou, addressed the issue of legislative responsibility. Speaking on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, Mr. Damianou rejected claims that the Parliament is responsible for delays in addressing dangerous buildings. He emphasized that existing legislation is already robust, providing authorities with the power to conduct evacuations, demolitions, and mandatory repairs. Mr. Damianou criticized the executive branch, local authorities, and the Legal Service for shifting blame, stating that the Committee has flagged the issue nine times since 2023. He noted that the Ministry of Internal Affairs failed to submit a drafted bill to Parliament, while disputes between the Ministry, ETEK, and the Legal Service caused further delays. He maintained that if the law requires updates, it is a matter for the next legislative session, but current enforcement remains the duty of the executive branch. He urged officials to stop searching for excuses and fulfill their legal obligations.