Greek opposition demands safety checks on 35 Athens buildings damaged by Metro Line 4

Structural damage in Kypseli

Over the past seven months, residents in the central Athens neighbourhood of Kypseli have reported severe cracks and ground subsidence across 35 apartment buildings. The structural damage developed during underground excavation by the tunnel boring machine deployed for Athens Metro Line 4. Ground movements shifted building foundations, causing doors to jam, window and door frames to detach from walls, and visible fractures to open along load-bearing concrete columns and beams. In response to mounting reports from local homeowners, authorities halted metro tunneling operations in the district in July 2026. Despite the stoppage of heavy excavation, residents have spent months raising concerns about structural instability and the lack of state action.

Inspection and demands from Alexis Tsipras

On 30 September 2026, Alexis Tsipras visited damaged properties in the area, entering an apartment building at 97 Kypseli Street to examine affected apartments and meet residents. During the visit, Tsipras pointed out that the responsible minister publicly acknowledged he would not place his own family in the damaged apartments. Tsipras outlined three specific demands for immediate government action. First, authorities must deliver all technical data and excavation logs to engineering experts appointed by the residents. Second, engineers from the Technical Chamber of Greece must conduct certified inspections to assign green, yellow, or red safety ratings to all 35 buildings. Third, the state must fully fund the relocation of residents living in structures classified as yellow or red until necessary repairs are completed.

“We cannot play with the safety of residents, with the safety of citizens. Neither in Kypseli nor anywhere else. The logic of letting things go wherever they lead cannot be tolerated by anyone, especially when safety and life are at stake here.”

Political pressure and calls for transparency

A parliamentary delegation from SYRIZA led by parliamentary group leader Rena Dourou also met with the Kypseli Residents Initiative on Wednesday. Dourou criticized Deputy Infrastructure Minister Nikos Tachiaos for what she described as arrogance toward affected citizens and called for the immediate release of all impact studies. She noted that SYRIZA has repeatedly raised the issue in the Hellenic Parliament and pledged continued political backing until all resident demands are met. The party emphasized that while the metro project had been delayed for decades, infrastructure progress must not threaten the lives and property of metropolitan residents. Dourou specifically questioned the government regarding the timeline for structural restoration and resident relocation.

“For many months, our fellow citizens have been anxious about the safety of their homes, while the government leaves them in the dark and remains indifferent.”

Delegations on the ground

Multiple opposition lawmakers and municipal representatives accompanied the delegation visits in Kypseli. Tsipras was joined by ELAS party secretary Miltos Chatzigiannakis, Open City municipal leader Kostas Zachariadis, municipal councillor Despoina Alevyzaki, and local resident and anti-dictatorship activist Nikos Manios. Dourou was accompanied by SYRIZA infrastructure shadow minister Christos Giannoulis, deputy central committee secretary Natasa Gkara, Athens municipal councillor Anna Filini, and political secretariat member Tasos Politidis. Residents informed both delegations that vague government assurances have failed to address the physical risks in their homes. Opposition officials stated they will continue monitoring structural stability until certified remediation and relocation plans take effect.