25 Surveillance Cameras Installed at Abandoned National Hotel as Mayor Ceban Demands State Security Post

Authorities in Chișinău are tightening security around the abandoned former National Hotel after the tragic death of a 13-year-old girl earlier this month. The incident, which shocked the entire country, exposed the dangerous condition of one of the capital’s most iconic yet neglected buildings.

In response, the municipality has installed 25 surveillance cameras around the entire perimeter of the building, reinforced all entrances, and fenced off surrounding areas. The measure was announced by Chișinău Mayor Ion Ceban, who emphasized that the installation of cameras is only the beginning.

Ceban is now urging national authorities to establish a permanent state security post on-site to monitor the area 24/7 and prevent unauthorized access.

Why a State Security Post Is Needed

For years, the abandoned hotel has attracted homeless individuals, teenagers, thrill-seekers, and even criminal groups. Namerous complaints were filed regarding dangerous access points left wide open, despite the building being structurally unstable.

“The cameras alone cannot replace human surveillance. A permanent guard post is essential to ensure no one enters the building again,” Ceban stated.

Municipal authorities argue that the property owners failed to take minimal safety measures, allowing the building to become a public hazard.

Parliament Discusses New Legislation After the Tragedy

The tragedy triggered parliamentary hearings organized by the National Security Committee. Deputies are now discussing amendments to the law that would require owners of abandoned buildings to fence and signalize dangerous areas.

Committee chair Lilian Carp stated:

• if the owner refuses to take necessary safety measures,

• the local authorities will intervene,

• and the costs will be billed to the owner, who will be legally obliged to pay.

Carp also announced increased police patrols around the former hotel.

Background: A Preventable Tragedy

On November 6, a 13-year-old girl was found dead inside the abandoned hotel after falling from a height through the unprotected interior structure. The event revealed how dangerous the site had become. For years, activists and residents warned that the building was unsecured and represented a real threat.

Following the tragedy, the municipality installed fencing and surveillance and began sealing all access points. Ceban also requested government-assigned guards, but the central authorities have yet to respond.

The National Hotel: From Landmark to Danger Zone

Built in the Soviet era as one of Chișinău’s premier hotels, the National Hotel has been abandoned for nearly two decades. Several private companies have taken ownership over the years, but none have begun redevelopment.

Its location — right in central Chișinău — makes the building both symbolically important and dangerously accessible.

Urban planning experts warn that the National Hotel is not an isolated case. Chișinău has dozens of abandoned and partially collapsed buildings, each posing risks similar to the one that caused the recent tragedy.

Next Steps: What Authorities Plan to Do

The municipality plans to:

• maintain constant police monitoring,

• pursue the installation of a state security post,

• legally recover the costs of safety measures from the property owner,

• and support legislative changes targeting abandoned buildings.

The government is under public pressure to respond decisively. Civil society groups argue that the tragedy must serve as a wake-up call for nationwide reforms.

Until then, the abandoned National Hotel stands as a stark reminder of decades of neglect. Camera surveillance and fencing may offer temporary protection, but residents insist that only a long-term solution — demolition, reconstruction, or full rehabilitation — will truly make the area safe again.