More homes evacuated in Elche, with threat of “imminent collapse”

A decision has been made by municipal technicians from the Elche City Council to evacuate two additional stairwells in Block 8 on Calle Palombar, which is located in the San Antón neighbourhood. The decision was reached after the building underwent inspections, which necessitated the relocation of 61 individuals from buildings 3 and 5 on Thursday, April 10th. A total of 36 residences, 18 in each building, were impacted by the evacuations on yesterday, Friday April 11th, which affected stairwells 1 and 7.

The occupants of both staircases have been notified by the social services department of Elche City Council that they will be relocated to a hotel within the municipality. The hotel will provide them with lodging and meals.

The technical report produced by the municipal architect and the technical architect indicates that “there is a danger to public safety and a threat of imminent collapse.” In light of this circumstance, officials recommend the immediate and urgent implementation of measures, including the shutdown of utilities, the evacuation of the apartments and premises in the block corresponding to stairwells 1, 3, 5, and 7, and the establishment of a security perimeter.

The technicians have also identified additional essential tasks that must be completed in the building, including the drilling of holes on the ground floor, the inspection of the sewage system, the repair of the main drainage system and the reinforcement of the load-bearing walls and pillars.

The city council has announced that these measures will be implemented “immediately” and “under the supervision of the competent technician.” They also emphasise that the results of the forthcoming evaluations may result in the implementation of new measures.

A resident of block 8 on Calle Palombar, in the San Antón neighbourhood of Elche, contacted the City Council at 10 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9th, to report that one of the fractures in her home had expanded. Probably, the resident was unaware of the severity of the issue. The investigation uncovered additional cracks in the foundation of the building, necessitating the preventive evacuation of two blocks of the street, numbers 3 and 5, in the middle of the night. This action impacted 61 residents, including 17 minors.

Elche City Council technicians initiated a comprehensive analysis and inspection of up to 11 apartment complexes in the San Antón neighbourhood on Thursday morning, April 10th. In this manner, the council will be able to ascertain the precise condition of each of these structures.