8-9-2023 (TAIPEI) The Taipei City government is actively addressing a building tilt and ground collapse incident that occurred near a construction site in the city’s Zhongshan District. The incident, which took place late Thursday, was attributed to an inadequate water supply, leading to the tilting of several buildings.
In an official statement issued on Friday, the city government announced its commitment to addressing the situation promptly. The government is overseeing efforts to water and grout the ground beneath the affected buildings to stabilize the situation. The authorities expect that the cracks in the ground will be filled by Sunday. Additionally, the government plans to instruct Kee Tai Properties, the construction company responsible for the project, to contact households affected by the incident.
To ensure safety, traffic controls have been implemented in the affected area. Drivers are currently allowed to exit the area but cannot enter the sections between Lane No. 84-124 of Dazhi Street.
Yu Chi-hsueh, the head of the city’s Construction Management Office, reported that approximately 800 cubic meters of ground, reaching depths of 1.5-2 meters underground, had been grouted as of Friday morning. However, Yu emphasized the ongoing monitoring of the situation, as it remains uncertain whether further ground collapses will occur.
The construction site involved in the incident obtained a construction certificate in 2021, according to Yu. He added that the situation unfolded as construction workers excavated three floors below ground, leading to the collapse of the diaphragm wall due to pressure. Watering and grouting the ground is intended to restore and balance the pressure.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an provided an update on the situation, noting that 197 households, comprising 367 residents, had been evacuated as a precaution. Chiang stated that the area would be monitored and treated for approximately three days, after which residents would be allowed to return once the safety of the buildings is confirmed. However, he also indicated that the government would not hesitate to evacuate more residents if necessary.
As a precautionary measure, the Dominican International School, located adjacent to the construction site, has temporarily closed. Cracks in nearby walls and on the school’s playground have been observed. The Taipei Structural Engineers Association is conducting inspections, and Hsu Mao-ching, its head, emphasized that buildings found to be significantly tilted may need to be demolished.
Kee Tai Properties, in response to the incident, announced that it had already halted the project and was actively working to compensate nearby households affected by the incident. The company expressed its commitment to fulfilling its responsibilities and pledged not to resume construction until relevant agencies confirm the safety of the buildings.
In light of the incident, work on another construction site in the vicinity has also been suspended by the city government as a precautionary measure. Resumption of work on both sites will be subject to approval by the relevant authorities, as stated by the city’s Construction Management Office.
