Transport Minister Alexis Vafeadis has confirmed that the transport ministry is currently reviewing decrees related to the problematic Takata airbags, ensuring compliance with legislation.

Responding to questions about the issue, Vafeadis clarified that multiple decrees, rather than a single one, would be issued to address all legal aspects. “Right now, we are assessing our options to present them to the attorney-general’s office for their opinion,” he said, adding that the aim is to ensure that any decisions made are legally enforceable.

He also assured the public that the decree would be issued by the legislated deadline of February 3, 2025, although efforts are being made to speed up the process. “Our goal is to issue it sooner, of course, not based on the specific law passed, but grounded in other relevant legislation,” Vafeadis explained.

The minister stressed the importance of handling the issue with both urgency and caution, ensuring that the response is both timely and legally correct. “We are taking this matter seriously and want to address it as quickly as possible, but we must do so in the proper way,” he added.

The issue of faulty Takata airbags has been ongoing for almost two years, with it believed that the death of 24-year-old Kyriakos Oxynos in January 2023 was caused in part by a faulty airbag.

More recently, it is now believed that the death of 19-year-old Styliani Giorgalli in October may have been caused by a faulty Takata airbag.

An autopsy found that Giorgalli had bled out, with then Famagusta district police spokesman Steve Theodoulou saying, “the cause of death was a haemorrhagic shock as a result of a rupture of the ascending aorta and lung caused by a metal object”.

The fault is related to exposure to high levels of heat or humidity, with Takata airbags having a tendency to explode when released under such circumstances. This then shoots the airbag’s metal inflator outwards and in the direction of the person it was designed to protect, potentially causing further injuries or, in some cases, death.

On the topic of road safety, Vafeadis addressed the ongoing issue of removing road bumps, which has been a concern for local communities. He clarified that road bumps can only be removed if requested by local municipalities or communities that manage the roads. “The transport ministry does not oversee the entire road network, so we cannot simply go out and start removing bumps,” he said.

He reiterated that municipalities and communities must submit formal requests, which are then reviewed by the relevant authorities. If deemed necessary and safe, measures can be taken to either remove the bumps or implement alternative safety solutions.

So far, 180 requests for bump removals have been processed, with over 2,500 bumps present across Cyprus. “It’s a long process, but it’s not entirely within our control,” Vafeadis remarked. “Once the requests come in, we will act as quickly as possible.”