Interior Minister announces earthquake plan

INTERIOR Minister Christodoulos Christodoulou yesterday announced immediate government measures to be taken in efforts to limit damage during a major earthquake in Cyprus.

Speaking after a meeting attended by representatives from relevant bodies, Christodoulou said a nationwide plan would be drawn up by the Council of Ministers in the third week of October and that fully trained expert rescue teams would be created as soon as possible.

He said £1 million had been set aside for the year 2000 alone to equip the rescue teams, while a further £700,000 remained earmarked from this year.

Christodoulou said the earthquake plan would include a list of necessary changes in all areas to be carried out over the next three years.

A specially-appointed Committee and experts would also be examining safety requirements for all buildings, while inspections would be carried out at the structures over the three years.

He said all the island’s schools had already been inspected by the government for their ability to survive an earthquake, while several private schools in Limassol had hired independent evaluators.

He said 85 of the 1,000 schools inspected had shown the need for renovations and improvements and that these would shortly be carried out.

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