Sea Star (Laguna) Apartment Residents' Life Safety is in Danger
Cyprus Foundations Administration, Cyprus Turkish Chambers of Architects and Engineers (KTMMOB) about the Famagusta Deniz Yildizi Apartments (Laguna), which was built before 1974 and consists of 5 blocks, 11 floors, 110 flats and to which the Cyprus Foundations Administration has the legal right, requested an expert report on the measurement of durability and the recommendation of scientific strengthening methods. As a result of intense scientific work that lasted for 5-6 months, a specialist report was prepared by KTMMOB in May 2021.
According to the expert report prepared, in addition to other issues, in summary, "In the current situation conditions, the expected 'Life Safety' performance level in case of a possible earthquake is not provided." detection has been made.
Deniz Yildizi Apartments, which Cyprus Foundations Administration has maintained and maintained for years with its 5 caretakers and expert staff, is a tired building that has turned 50+ years old as of today, as stated in the report. The building, which was not designed strictly in accordance with the earthquake regulations, was built according to the knowledge, materials and techniques of the time, sea sand was used in the concrete during the construction phase and was also exposed to the effects of the sea. It should also be known that there is fatigue and corrosion (rusting) on all floors of the building, not just the foundation.
Although it is certain that there will be serious financial losses to the Cyprus Foundations Administration, the notice of 4 November 2021, which explained the danger situation and demanded evacuation, was distributed to Deniz Yildizi residents and posted in the common area, considering the life safety of the apartment residents. As of November 2021, no new lease agreement has been signed. In the notification dated November 4, 2021, Deniz Yıldızı residents were invited to our Administration to examine the expert report. Between November 2021 and January 2022, information was exchanged between the lawyers appointed by Deniz Yildizi residents and our lawyers, and questions were answered. On January 18, 2022, the scientific report prepared by the Cyprus Turkish Union of Chambers of Architects and Engineers (KTMMOB) in the Cyprus Foundations Administration was turned into a presentation by KVİ officials and KTMMOB experts, and the seriousness of the situation was explained to the residents of the apartment, accompanied by these findings.
On September 8, 2022, necessary letters were sent to Famagusta Municipality and Famagusta District Governorate to seal the building. Currently, there is no tenant with a valid contract in Deniz Yıldızı Apartments, and no rent has been received from any tenant for about a year and a half.
In summary, in order to avoid loss of life and material/moral damage in the building, KVI has invited all local authorities to use its powers, and has sent many written notices to the tenants to vacate the dwellings throughout the process. However, some tenants continue to stay in the building by resisting scientific facts and disregarding the safety of life.
In addition to the report prepared by an expert team in May 2021 and showing the existing problems, in the current damage assessment study prepared by experts on February 14, 2023, it was reported that additional damage was observed in the columns compared to 2021. During the damage assessment studies, the experts said, “According to our observations, these columns have been repaired many times; However, under the current conditions, these repairs do not make much sense in terms of statics, on the contrary, they mislead people, as in the destroyed ISIAS hotel.” statement was also included. As a result of the report, "The building poses a danger to life safety in its current state and should be sealed and closed immediately within the framework of a safe distance." concluded.
Despite all the efforts of the Cyprus Foundations Administration, it is not to evacuate the buildings and to create conspiracy theories by ignoring the scientific reports prepared by the experts, and to endanger everyone living in the building. Cyprus Foundations Administration will not be responsible for any material/moral damage that may occur if life continues in the building and/or it is not evacuated. Likewise, in order to prevent loss of life and property, the buildings in question should be examined and sealed by the relevant institutions immediately. The relevant institutions and/or persons who refuse to evacuate these immovables will be held responsible for any negative development that may occur in the future. In this context, KVI invites all tenants to evacuate the building immediately and all relevant local authorities and official institutions to use their powers immediately and to prevent loss of life and property.