‘We are not happy with the bomb shelters’

The government is not satisfied with the bomb shelters and will be taking decisions to improve the situation at the next cabinet meeting, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Monday.

He said that despite the positive aspects, there were also negative ones.

“Are we at the level we would like to be or should be? No, we are not. I am not going to sugarcoat the situation, especially in a country where 52 years ago we ha an invasion, we had occupation. The first thing that should have been done is the bomb shelters,” he pointed out.

Christodoulides said there has been an increase in the shelter percentage, however “we are not happy and at the next cabinet meeting we will take further decisions regarding strengthening these shelters.”

Last week, the interior ministry said it was is preparing to submit a proposal to the cabinet aimed at significantly increasing the number of civil defence shelters across Cyprus, with the plan expected to be presented at the next meeting.

Under the proposal, new apartment buildings would be required to allocate basement space, where available, for use as civil defence shelters equipped with toilets and drinking water.

The measure would no longer rely on voluntary participation by developers.

As an incentive, authorities are considering granting an additional building coefficient of five per cent, up to a maximum of 50 square metres.

Government sources said the initiative follows concerns raised after inspections carried out earlier this year revealed shortcomings in the current shelter system.

A previous review, conducted in May, was later understood to have been only a sample inspection.

Sources informed that Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou expressed dissatisfaction with the scope of those checks and has since been examining ways to strengthen preparedness.

Officials say the expansion of shelter infrastructure forms part of a broader civil protection strategy as authorities review emergency preparedness and public warning systems.

In the event of a serious emergency, authorities stress that the public should not automatically attempt to travel to shelters.

Officials warn that such movement could lead to severe congestion on roads and hinder emergency responses.

Instead, members of the public are urged to follow the official safety guidance issued by the interior ministry, which includes moving to a basement where possible, remaining indoors away from windows and glass surfaces if no basement is available, and seeking the nearest indoor space if outside.

Officials emphasised that shelters are intended for use only in situations involving war or serious danger.