Environment Department intervenes, caravan occupation ends

The issue of caravans on the shoreline at Silver Beach in Gazimağusa persists. Despite authorities stating on July 23 that the caravans would be removed within a week, more than ten remain, drawing complaints from residents. The municipality has taken measures, including physical barriers, but caravan owners continue to enter the area via alternative routes.

Cyprus road transport department flagged dangerous vehicles, including motorhomes, cars and trucks, and notified the EU Safety Gate system.

A new operation to remove caravans and illegal structures from a beach near the former oil refineries in Larnaca, Cyprus, has begun. Municipal and district crews removed three caravans and dismantled nine illegal shacks and makeshift constructions occupying public space. Asbestos was discovered in one of the structures, requiring specially trained teams in protective suits to handle the hazardous material. The operation follows a final warning issued on July 18 and complements an earlier sweep on a nearby beach, where six caravans were removed after 12 owners complied.

The Larnaca District Administration launched a sweep operation on Thursday morning to relocate motorhomes and demolish wooden shacks on the shoreline, located in front of the fenced area where part of Land of tomorrow will be built. Demolition of the wooden structures has begun; one contains asbestos and will be dismantled by officials in protective gear with safety measures. The issue was highlighted by 'F' last Saturday, showing images of two beaches on the Larnaca-Dhekelia road that were illegally occupied, with no authority taking action. After intervention by Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou, the district administration was instructed to remove motorhomes and shacks. Nine structures, mostly wooden, were built on the Land of tomorrow site, along with three motorhomes that received notices last Tuesday.

Larnaca authorities removed illegal RVs and makeshift structures from a beach near the Marine Club. After an ultimatum, 12 owners voluntarily removed their vehicles, while 6 were towed and 9 structures demolished.

On Tuesday morning, an operation removed illegal structures and motorhomes from a beach near the Larnaca Nautical Club, where owners had allegedly blocked access to other bathers. Similar action is expected on a neighboring beach with wooden huts built over the water. Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou intervened after weeks of inaction, leading to warning letters on Saturday and the start of motorhome removal on Tuesday. Large stones were placed at the beach entrance to prevent large vehicles from entering.