A sweep operation has been under way since Tuesday morning on a beach near the Larnaca Nautical Club, which had been occupied for weeks by caravans whose owners, according to complaints, were blocking access for other bathers.
A similar operation is expected to follow on a neighbouring beach, where wooden structures have been built over the water.
The issue caused an uproar after philenews first reported it last Saturday, with no authority stepping in to end the illegal occupation, which had continued for weeks. This prompted Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou to intervene, immediately instructing the Larnaca District Administration, as the competent authority, to prepare letters and issue an ultimatum to those responsible.
Warning letters were issued last Saturday, and this morning crews from the Larnaca District Administration, assisted by Larnaca Municipality, began moving the caravans. Police officers are also at the scene.
Ilias Hatzilias, head of Larnaca Municipality’s Abandoned Vehicles Department, told philenews that four caravans had been seized by 9am on Tuesday. He added that large stones had been placed at the entrance to the beach to stop large vehicles from being able to enter.
