Evacuation order suspended for Larnaca's DIPA apartment complex

The Larnaca District Local Government Organisation (DLGO) has suspended an urgent evacuation order for the DIPA apartment complex, one of the city's largest and oldest residential buildings, which was recently deemed at high risk of collapse. The initial order, which provided residents and business owners only three days to vacate, faced significant backlash from the approximately 400 people living in the building.

Following a formal notification from residents on Tuesday that they have hired a private engineer and initiated emergency repairs, the DLGO has granted a temporary extension. DLGO president Angelos Hadjicharalambous confirmed that the residents must now coordinate with the organisation’s enforcement department to establish binding project timelines. The evacuation will only be permanently avoided if the independent engineer certifies that the building's structural integrity meets safety standards. Key focus areas include immediate structural remediation and the removal of hazardous elements, such as loose plaster, to ensure the complex is safe for continued occupation.