Two foreign nationals were found dead today on the first floor of a building in Episkopi, Limassol, in what appears to be a case of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning.
According to police reports, one of the men had previously stayed at the premises, while the second victim appears to have been a friend who spent the night there yesterday. The area where they were discovered had been converted into residential rooms, while also housing company offices. Sources close to the investigation told Philenews that one of the victims appears to have been associated with the company operating from the building.
No fire detected
It is worth noting that no fire broke out in the room, and the Fire Service was not called to the scene, confirming earlier reports on the incident.
Carbon monoxide is particularly dangerous as it is colourless and odorless, and can cause death before victims become aware of its presence.
Authorities are expected to release more details as the investigation progresses.
Background context
The deaths occurred amid increasing attention to housing conditions and inequality in Cyprus and particularly Limassol. On February 15, a family of five died inside their home in the working-class Agios Nikolaos area of Limassol, after a fire that started allegedly due to an electrical fault.
The housing crisis in Limassol has been exacerbated by the city’s development model focusing on high-rises catered to wealthy, mainly foreign investors and professionals. This, as a result, has skyrocketed rent prices in Cyprus’s second-largest city, driving many families, such as the one who died on February 15, to seek cheaper and potentially unsafe alternatives. The five-member family was reportedly living in a one-bedroom apartment divided in two with flammable plasterboard.
The Limassol Municipality has issued an announcement promising housing reform.
