Army engineers and one of Egypt’s leading contractors faced the delicate task of dismantling the top floors of a residential tower in Alexandria after it toppled last week, coming to rest against a building across the street.
Inhabitants of the leaning tower built in 2002 were evacuated, as were residents in surrounding buildings, after the 13-storey tower toppled on Wednesday, 31 May.
Authorities cordoned off the area around the precarious structure and trams were halted in case vibrations caused it to disintegrate.
An official told media that the building’s foundations collapsed after the demolition of an adjacent 3-storey building.
A security source told reporters that the building was built in 2002 and a removal order was issued for it in 2004, but the tenants opted to remain at their own risk.
The day after the collapse Alexandria Governor Mohamed Sultan said emergency housing had been provided for the evacuees and that those responsible for the incident would be held accountable.
While the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collapse is ongoing, Ali Morsy, head of central Alexandria district, commented that building owners often illegally add extra floors in contravention of permissions.
