Residents affected by cracks in buildings near construction works for Athens’ Metro Line 4 will not have to pay for repairs, according to Greece’s Deputy Minister of Infrastructure, Nikos Tachiaos.

In an interview with the Athens-Macedonian News Agency, Tachiaos said inspections carried out by engineers from the state-owned metro company and the contractor found no structural safety issues in the affected buildings.

“The damage that has been observed appears to be fully reversible,” he said, adding that the contractor is contractually obligated to repair all damage caused by the project at its own expense.

The minister also stressed that the Ministry of Infrastructure has instructed the metro company to use every available means to ensure that residents and workers in the area are confident the buildings remain safe.

Technical investigation continues

Tunnel excavation has been suspended for more than two months while engineers investigate the cause of the cracks and determine how construction can safely resume.

According to Tachiaos, extensive geotechnical surveys were conducted before construction began, but the specific underground conditions encountered in the area could not have been predicted.

He described the situation as an “unforeseeable event,” noting that unexpected geological conditions are not uncommon in underground infrastructure projects.

Greek and international experts have already been brought in to help identify the safest solution before tunnelling restarts.

No timeline for excavation restart

The deputy minister said excavation will resume only after authorities are fully satisfied that there is no risk to buildings above the tunnel route.

He also emphasized that restoring residents’ confidence is just as important as resolving the technical issues.

At this stage, Tachiaos said it would be premature to assign responsibility for the incident, adding that focusing on blame before the investigation is completed could delay efforts to resolve the problem.

What residents should do

Residents who notice new cracks in their properties are encouraged to report them to the nearest Metro Line 4 construction site.

According to the minister, inspections will be carried out immediately, and any damage determined to have been caused by the project will be repaired by the contractor at no cost to property owners.

He added that the government’s priority is not only to prevent financial costs for residents but also to avoid unnecessary anxiety while construction continues on what he described as a major public transport project for Athens.