02:20The Municipal Works Department of Vina del Mar deemed the Euromarina II building unsafe for habitation on Sunday, prompting the evacuation of residents from 87 apartments amid fears of structural collapse.
Drone footage shows multi-storey luxury apartment buildings located few metres away from the Pacific Ocean beach and a giant sinkhole caused by intense rains that hit Chile in mid-June.
"It is about money as usual. They built these multi-story buildings on a piece of land, in which 20 floors were put in a square meter of sand. Everyone was unconscious, from the engineers to the one who spent the money to get the permits, etc.," said Antonia Martinez, a resident.
The issue comes after recent rains triggered a notable sinkhole beneath the luxury building, measuring 15 meters long and 30 meters deep. The incident reignited concerns over the building's construction, situated in an area previously designated as protected dunes.
In August and September of 2023 the similar landslides damaged the foundation of the nearby buildings, which prompted the evacuation of its tenants. According to local media reports, the urban expansion on the dunes as well as intense storms and overflowing rainwater collectors posed a clear risk to the property.
Residents now await further decisions amid ongoing structural concerns and the unpredictable weather patterns caused by El Nino in the region.
'It is about money' - Structural risk forces evacuation of luxury building tenants in Chile
The Municipal Works Department of Vina del Mar deemed the Euromarina II building unsafe for habitation on Sunday, prompting the evacuation of residents from 87 apartments amid fears of structural collapse.
Drone footage shows multi-storey luxury apartment buildings located few metres away from the Pacific Ocean beach and a giant sinkhole caused by intense rains that hit Chile in mid-June.
"It is about money as usual. They built these multi-story buildings on a piece of land, in which 20 floors were put in a square meter of sand. Everyone was unconscious, from the engineers to the one who spent the money to get the permits, etc.," said Antonia Martinez, a resident.
The issue comes after recent rains triggered a notable sinkhole beneath the luxury building, measuring 15 meters long and 30 meters deep. The incident reignited concerns over the building's construction, situated in an area previously designated as protected dunes.
In August and September of 2023 the similar landslides damaged the foundation of the nearby buildings, which prompted the evacuation of its tenants. According to local media reports, the urban expansion on the dunes as well as intense storms and overflowing rainwater collectors posed a clear risk to the property.
Residents now await further decisions amid ongoing structural concerns and the unpredictable weather patterns caused by El Nino in the region.
The Municipal Works Department of Vina del Mar deemed the Euromarina II building unsafe for habitation on Sunday, prompting the evacuation of residents from 87 apartments amid fears of structural collapse.
Drone footage shows multi-storey luxury apartment buildings located few metres away from the Pacific Ocean beach and a giant sinkhole caused by intense rains that hit Chile in mid-June.
"It is about money as usual. They built these multi-story buildings on a piece of land, in which 20 floors were put in a square meter of sand. Everyone was unconscious, from the engineers to the one who spent the money to get the permits, etc.," said Antonia Martinez, a resident.
The issue comes after recent rains triggered a notable sinkhole beneath the luxury building, measuring 15 meters long and 30 meters deep. The incident reignited concerns over the building's construction, situated in an area previously designated as protected dunes.
In August and September of 2023 the similar landslides damaged the foundation of the nearby buildings, which prompted the evacuation of its tenants. According to local media reports, the urban expansion on the dunes as well as intense storms and overflowing rainwater collectors posed a clear risk to the property.
Residents now await further decisions amid ongoing structural concerns and the unpredictable weather patterns caused by El Nino in the region.