According to the Inspectorate General of Emergency Situations (IGES), about 8,600 people live in these houses.
The assessment also showed that many buildings are located in vulnerable areas – on slopes or near landslides, near areas of active construction or high-voltage power lines. Others lack water sources and often have difficult access for firefighting equipment.
Aurel Bachu, head of the CECS, gave specific examples of problematic houses on Tudor Striska, Munchesti, Diminesti, Ashgabat and other streets in the capital.
“The situation with the housing stock, especially apartment buildings, is serious. The problems have accumulated over time, the risks are real, and where risks are not managed, tragedies obviously occur,” Bachu said.
Informed means protected
He announced the launch of the “Knowing the risks is the first step to safety” campaign. The campaign plans to visit problem homes, inform residents and administrators of the risks, and check fire apparatus access and water supply serviceability. The campaign will run from February 26 through March 17, 2026. 36 courtyards of apartment buildings in the capital will be checked.
According to the GCHS, fire engines’ access to about 40% of high-rise buildings and 39% of buildings with attic is blocked or restricted, which significantly hampers the work of firefighters in case of emergencies. In the period 2023-2025, 1,696 fires were registered in the urban environment, of which 258 occurred in high-rise buildings; material damage in 2025 exceeded MDL 14 million.
