Cyprus: Authorities try to retrieve one trapped person and search for another in the collapsed building

Efforts to remove debris after part of a two-storey building in Germasoyia collapsed are ongoing and authorities said there was contact with a trapped person while a search is underway for another occupant who has not yet been identified.

According to Fire Service spokesman Andreas Kettis, at least two people have been recovered alive, while contact and communication is being maintained with a third trapped person and a fourth is being searched for.

According to estimates, there were eight to 10 apartments in the building and, at the time part of the building collapsed, there were five to six people there, some in the part that did not collapse and some inside the part that did.

It is noted that as the occupants are foreigners, nationals of various third countries, authorities are trying to communicate with them through interpreters.

According to reports, two people were taken to Limassol General Hospital, and one to a private hospital, by ambulance, while another person went to a hospital on his own.

According to a post by Kettis, a dog was also rescued from the collapsed building and handed over to its owner.

Crews from the Fire Service, the Special Disaster Response Unit (E.M.M.A.K.), the Civil Defence, the Electricity Authority, members of the Police, and local authorities. The K9 scout dogs of the NPC are also being used in the investigation.

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As reported by authorities at the scene, the priority is to remove debris and rescue people trapped in the damaged building, part of which collapsed shortly before 13.30.

An operations centre has been activated at the scene under the command of the Chief Adjutant General at the Fire Service Headquarters who is in direct contact and communication with the Minister of Justice and Public Order, reports Kettis in his post, while the Deputy Commander of the Civil Defence, and the Commander of the PMAD are also at the operations centre.

He notes that the Operations Centre under the Chief Admiral has activated two Civil Engineers from the Ministry of Interior for on-site assessment and evaluation of the situation for appropriate intervention planning.