A construction site in New Taipei City’s Sanchong District (三重) caused a nearby residential building’s foundation to collapse today, requiring the evacuation of 22 residents.
Residents reported hearing noises in their homes at 3am, and by 6am had reported the incident.
The foundation’s collapse led to the building cracking and tilting, and the New Taipei City Public Works Department was immediately sent to the area
Photo: Lo Kuo-chia, Taipei Times
Department staff immediately stopped work at the site to assess the situation.
The district office and developer are providing accommodations for those who were displaced, the city said.
The incident occurred when workers were excavating the basement, resulting in damage to nearby properties, said Lai Chien-hung (賴建宏), head of the Taiwan Professional Civil Engineers Association.
Safety measures had been in place, including backfilling water to maintain pressure balance, he said, adding that workers would also add soil and concrete to stabilize further if necessary.
The cause of the disaster would be reviewed, but the focus for now is to prevent any further damage, Lai said.
The extent of damage to adjacent buildings would also be analyzed in greater detail, he added.
The construction project has caused damage to properties and immediate response measures are being implemented to prevent further risks, department district office chief Feng Chao-lin (馮兆麟) said.
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