The road transport department on Tuesday apologised after sending text messages to the families of people who had died in traffic accidents, informing them that their cars are subject to recalls.

The department said the messages had been sent “based on information obtained from the companies”, and that “this resulted in disruption”.

It did not make clear whether the messages had been sent to the families of Kyriakos Oxynos and Styliani Giorgalli, the two most high-profile road traffic fatalities related to the faulty airbags which have sprung the recall.

It also did not specify how many such messages were sent.

Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades had on Monday decreed the recall of over 80,000 cars which are fitted with potentially fatal airbags manufactured by Japanese company Takata, all of which are to be replaced over a period of eight months.

Exactly 276 vehicles were immobilised immediately, and as such have had their road tax and MOT certificates rescinded.