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Sydney Opal Tower: Residents forced to leave for second time | Sydney Opal Tower: Residents forced to leave for second time |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Hundreds of people have been told to leave a Sydney tower block for a second time, after a crack appeared in its walls on Monday. | Hundreds of people have been told to leave a Sydney tower block for a second time, after a crack appeared in its walls on Monday. |
Many residents of the 38-storey Opal Tower had moved back in, after the alarm was first raised when loud noises were heard and a crack was discovered. | Many residents of the 38-storey Opal Tower had moved back in, after the alarm was first raised when loud noises were heard and a crack was discovered. |
The company that built the tower said it remained "structurally sound" and the relocation was just a precaution. | The company that built the tower said it remained "structurally sound" and the relocation was just a precaution. |
It says this will allow engineers and investigators to work around the clock. | It says this will allow engineers and investigators to work around the clock. |
The builder, Icon, said that no residents were in danger, but this would help them repair the site in the quickest time possible without further disruption to residents. | The builder, Icon, said that no residents were in danger, but this would help them repair the site in the quickest time possible without further disruption to residents. |
The investigation was expected to take up to 10 days and Icon said it would provide all accommodation. | |
Angry residents complained about being forced to leave their apartments. | |
"I think no one can trust [them] because they forced people to go back to their property and today they're standing in front of us [to] say everyone has to leave the building," said one. | |
Another said: "We're a bit frustrated. We were planning on spending the New Year here with family and friends. That's actually one of the reasons why we moved into this building three months ago." | |
Authorities had previously said 51 of the tower's 392 units were affected and the newly completed building in Sydney Olympic Park was declared safe for a majority of residents to return. | |
As many as 3,000 people were evacuated on Monday, after an internal support wall failed on the 10th floor of the building, according to police. | As many as 3,000 people were evacuated on Monday, after an internal support wall failed on the 10th floor of the building, according to police. |
Icon confirmed that a pre-cast concrete panel had cracked in the building. | Icon confirmed that a pre-cast concrete panel had cracked in the building. |
A team of engineers from Icon and the building's developer Ecove have been assessing the building, which was only completed earlier this year. | A team of engineers from Icon and the building's developer Ecove have been assessing the building, which was only completed earlier this year. |
On Wednesday, the New South Wales government said it was also investigating the building's structural integrity and that of neighbouring residential towers. | On Wednesday, the New South Wales government said it was also investigating the building's structural integrity and that of neighbouring residential towers. |
Local news outlets have published pictures of the building damage, showing loose plaster and crumbling walls. | Local news outlets have published pictures of the building damage, showing loose plaster and crumbling walls. |
Engineers earlier said the high-rise tower had moved up to 2mm. | |
However, Ecove has defended the building's "high quality", which it said was above the industry standard. |
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