Several lanes at the intersection of Windhorst Road and Parsons Avenue in Brandon remained closed for the indefinite future as county workers tread carefully in determining what caused a section of the roadway to collapse July 19.
“We have to be really careful at that intersection because there are lots of utility lines in the area,” said Hillsborough County spokesman Patrick Murray. "We have a sewer line and a water line there and we have to make sure there are no other utilities, so we have to be careful drilling.”
At the scene, late afternoon July 22, barricades were seen at the intersection, with drilling under way.
Crew workers first believed a 16-inch sewage pipeline beneath the intersection might have caused the collapse of the 6-foot-square section of roadway on July 19, according to a county report.
But the sewer line was dug up and found to be intact. Now the county is testing the intersection for sinkholes — but carefully, as Murray noted.
Additional detours and lane closures are possible as crews dig up the line for inspection and any necessary repairs.
Motorists who must travel through the intersection are warned to expect delays.
Starr DiGiacomo
Wild wind blows a scaffolding onto Times Square.
http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local/new_york&i...
Construction fence collapse in Midtown injures 3
Friday November 1st 2013
MIDTOWN (WABC) -- High wind caused a construction fence to collapse on 40th Street between Broadway and 7th Avenue in Midtown, injuring 3 people.
The incident happened on Friday morning shortly after 10:00.
CLICK HERE TO SEE PHOTOS FROM THE SCENE OF THE COLLAPSE
The Buildings Department says an inspection showed that the construction fence was installed contrary to approved plans. A full Stop Work Order has been issued for the site.
West 40th Street remained closed to vehicular traffic in the area until early afternoon.
Authorities say the scaffolding landed on three people. Two good Samaritans helped pull the debris off of two women.
The victims were taken to Bellevue Hospital. All were conscious and alert
A firefighter also sustained minor injuries responding to the scene. He was taken to Roosevelt Hospital
The collapse happened as a line of showers and storms brought strong wind gusts to the area.
The Department of Buildings issued a warning to property owners Friday to secure construction sites and buildings because of the high winds.
Nov 3, 2013
Starr DiGiacomo
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/One-missing-5-hur...
One missing, 5 hurt in building collapse
TNN | Nov 4, 2013, 01.02 AM ISTThe building housed the godown of a retail food chain franchise and the offices of a logistics management firm. The building began to collapse around 10am. A huge tragedy was averted as it was a holiday and one of the two offices was empty. Also, it took almost 40 minutes for the entire building to come crashing down, rescue workers said.
They said on any given working day, the building has 200 people working. While the top floor was empty, the two other facilities operated out of the ground floor. Besides, no worker was present in Preetham Logistics, which had shifted in only a few days ago.
Police officers said the roof of the ground floor was the first that came crashing down. Around 20 men were working in the godown of the retail chain when the roof began coming down. Most of the men managed to run to safety before the building terrace also came down.
"We received a call for rescue at 10.10am and we rushed five rescue vans sent to the spot. According to our report, 5 men were injured and one person was found missing. So our rescue teams combed the area," fire control room officials said.
Police officers said truck driver Mukesh, who had come to work to unload cargo at the retail food chain godown, was not to be found following the incident. Some workers at the godown alerted the rescue workers who then scoured the debris till evening.
Police officers said Mukesh was not found even after the elaborate search. "We are checking if he had gone elsewhere and was not present at the building during the accident," B Ramesh, superintendent of police, Bangalore Rural, told reporters.
The building, owned by one Makali Ravi, was constructed six years ago. While the food chain's godown had been operational for some time, the logistics company moved into the building only on Saturday.
Sunita, daughter of Ravi, who was at the accident site, said the building had posed no problem all these years. However, Nelamangala police said they are booking a case of negligence against the owner of the building.
Nov 4, 2013
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_24449405/road-collapse-tr...
Road collapse traps trash truck in Centennial
Part of a road collapsed Monday morning in Centennial, trapping a vehicle.
The road collapsed at Yosemite Street, near Mineral Avenue. That's between County Line and Dry Creek roads.
Police officers in the area are speculating that the road collapse was caused by an underground water main break, but that has not yet been confirmed.
Nov 6, 2013
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.todayszaman.com/news-330532-controversial-odtu-construct...
Controversial ODTÜ construction site flood causes road collapse
A student who was in the vicinity fell into a gap caused by the collapse but escaped without injury.
The incident took place in the early hours of the day as the asphalt road to the campus's A4 entrance, near which construction on a controversial road crossing the grounds was under way, collapsed after a water pipe at the construction site burst and flooded the area. The water caused the asphalt road to collapse and led to a student falling into a large gap that opened up. Climbing out of the hole on his own, the student was later aided by passers-by.
An eyewitness, Zeynep Gürel, a postgraduate student at ODTÜ, said she saw the student fall into the hole while on her way to campus in a cab.
“We heard a loud noise while heading towards the campus, after we saw a young man walking along the road. When I turned my head he was lost to sight. I stopped the cab right away and went to the area of the collapse. I later learnt that the student held on to the edge of the road and barely escaped the danger of tumbling down into the abyss,” she said.
The asphalt road was closed to traffic, but students continue to walk on the road, which lost one lane to the collapse, to enter the campus.
The construction of a new road connecting the capital's Anatolia Boulevard to the Konya Highway has sparked outrage among ODTÜ students, who have protested against the destruction of green spaces to make the new road through the campus. The rector of the university, strongly opposing the construction work set to uproot nearly 3,000 trees, earlier vowed that he would press charges against any illegal attempt of the government to build a road passing through the campus.
Despite numerous accusations and protests, construction workers from the Ankara Municipality have been working nonstop to build the new road. As many as 30 bulldozers are working in the area day and night, while some 300 trucks have been removing soil taken from the campus.
Nov 6, 2013
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent_messenger/news/water-restored-afte...
Homes in Leeds, Maidstone, were without water after part of Upper Street collapsed
Households were left without water overnight after a road collapsed.
People in Leeds village, Maidstone, woke on Saturday morning to discover their taps were not working because of a burst water main.
It's believed engineers from South East Water were repairing the leak in Upper Street when part of the road collapsed at about 6pm.
The water firm said bottles of water were delivered to affected homes, including those in Burgess Hall Drive, until the supply was restored on Sunday morning.
The road remains closed today.
Diversions are in place via the Sutton Road and the A20 Ashford Road.
Traffic from Leeds Castle's fireworks display was diverted along Burbridge Lane on Saturday and Sunday.
Nov 11, 2013
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.independent.ie/world-news/africa/shopping-mall-collapse-...
Shopping mall collapse kills two and injures 29 in South Africa
19 NOVEMBER 2013
A ROOF at a South African shopping mall under construction collapsed today, killing two people and injuring 29.
Rescue teams used cranes, sniffer dogs and spotlights as the search for any more survivors stretched into the night.
The collapse happened in Tongaat, near the eastern coastal city of Durban, and rescue teams rushed to help workers who were trapped beneath the rubble.
"The dogs are now combing the area for survivors," police Lt. Mandy Govender said. "There's just chunks and chunks of concrete and we don't know what's underneath."
The deputy mayor of the municipality that includes Tongaat said construction should not have been taking place because contractors were not doing a proper job.
"We took them to court a month ago," Nomvuzo Shabalala said. "We thought they had stopped."
There were initial reports that up to 50 people were trapped in the debris. Police were checking names, and said some workers reported as missing may have left the scene before notifying authorities.
Fiona Moonean, whose house is across a railway line from the collapsed part of the mall, said there was a "thunderous sound" before scaffolding collapsed and the roof came crashing down.
"The whole concrete slab crashed down with the pillars. The smoke and dust was too thick. I heard them screaming out for help in Zulu."
Nov 19, 2013
Chris
Dozens feared trapped in Latvia grocery store collapse
http://rt.com/news/riga-mall-collapse-latvia-118/
Four people have been killed and at least 30 others injured after the roof of a large grocery store collapsed on Thursday in the Latvian capital, said rescue service officials. As many as 70 people may still be trapped in the rubble.
Nov 21, 2013
Chris
Another picture of the Latvia collapse. 500sq meters of roof gave in in 2 seperate incidents
Nov 21, 2013
Starr DiGiacomo
http://tvnz.co.nz/world-news/third-section-latvian-supermarket-roof...
Third section of Latvian supermarket roof collapses
Published: 7:17AM Sunday November 24, 2013 Source: AP
A massive third section of the roof at a Latvian supermarket where at least 54 people were killed fell as emergency workers searched nearby rubble for more victims.
Though no one was injured in Saturday's collapse, officials suspended the effort as they considered the dangers of continuing the search in the unstable building.
Latvia's president described the disaster at the Maxima supermarket in Riga, the worst in the Baltic country since it regained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, as "murder" and called for a speedy investigation into its cause.
Investigators are looking at faulty construction or work on the roof's grass-and gravel-covered surface as the potential cause of the initial collapse in the crowded supermarket on Thursday. Workers were installing a garden area and children's playground for an adjacent high-rise residential building.
Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman Viktorija Sembele said the latest collapse occurred in an area where firefighters were not working, but the service immediately recalled its people from inside to ensure there were no casualties. The service tweeted minutes later that no one was injured.
The dramatic cave-in came as rescue workers were attempting to complete an operation in a particularly dangerous part of the building. The rescue service said it wants to consult with engineers before renewing the operation and that all search efforts will be put on hold until Sunday morning.
Fifty-four deaths had been confirmed by Saturday afternoon. Police spokesman Dairis Anucins said there were still seven people missing who might have been in the store at the time of the collapse.
Associated Press video of the scene showed a large portion of the roof crashing down as rescuers worked close by. A massive boom can be heard as the section hits the ground in a cloud of dust.
story continues
Nov 24, 2013
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-25065892
Hackney terrace to be demolished after cracks spotted
A block of terraced housing in east London is to be demolished after a member of the public noticed cracks.
Part of the Gibbons Building in Amhurst Road, Hackney, which contains seven homes, will be pulled down after being deemed "an immediate risk to public safety".
Eight people have been forced to leave their homes. The building also contains two restaurants.
Hackney Council said the demolition could take all weekend.
The cracks were reported to the London Fire Brigade on Friday night.
A Hackney Council spokesperson said contractors will pull down number 1 and assess numbers 3 and 5 to see if they can still be saved.
"Hackney Council has arranged for the urgent controlled demolition of 1-5 Amhurst Road following reports that the building has become structurally unsound and posed an immediate risk to public safety," he said.
"We are trying to shore up two-thirds of the building before demolition can begin.
"The process of demolishing the building could take all weekend, perhaps even several days."
'RIP Rawduck'
The Gibbons Building survived a fire which destroyed the property next to it "years ago", BBC London 94.9's Anna O'Neill reported.
The end block will be pulled down before the rest of the terrace will be assessed to see what damage has been done, she said.
Councillor Vincent Stops, chairman of Hackney Council's planning committee, tweeted: "Saddened by the news that 1-5 Amhurst Road AKA the Gibbons Building is to be demolished for structural safety reasons. Really sad."
Half of the eight people who left their homes will be housed in hotels and the other four are staying with friends or relatives.
A Travelodge hotel is currently being built in the adjacent car park.
The ground floor of the terrace includes the Cirrik and RawDuck restaurants.
The owners of the RawDuck tweeted: "We're so so sad to say that the building we are in cannot be saved and the council are demolishing it today. This is a sad day. RIP Rawduck."
Amhurst Road is closed between Mare Street and Pembury Junction and will remain shut on Sunday.
And access to Hackney Central Overground station has also been restricted to pedestrians via the northern entrance.
Nov 24, 2013
Starr DiGiacomo
Owner lucky to be alive after falling building crushes his prized BMW
23 Nov 2013 14:05
Nick Kay, 30, was watching TV in his flat when he heard what he thought was an earthquake - when he looked out of the window he saw rubble covering his ‘pride and joy’ BMW 330
A distraught car owner says he is lucky to be alive after a building collapsed and crushed his prized BMW.
Nick Kay, 30, was watching TV in his flat when he heard what he thought was an earthquake. When he looked out of the window he saw rubble covering his ‘pride and joy’ BMW 330 bought thanks to an inheritance from his late grandmother.
The ten-year-old motor, worth about £5,000, was written off after a three-story derelict building collapsed on Little Underbank in Stockport.
Nick, who runs a website for record collectors, and other residents had to be evacuated from the street, while the rubble was cleared and inspectors ensured the area was safe.
Investigation launched after BMW crushed in Stockport building coll...
He said: “The building shook. It felt like an earthquake. I was going to go out to Tesco in the car but I decided to stay in. If not for that I would have been in the car. The driver’s side was crushed. If your car is going to be damaged you think it might be a break-in, not this. I’ve had it for three years and it’s my pride and joy.”
He said he and other residents had complained to the council about the ‘dangerous’ former furniture shop, which has been empty for eight years.
Nick said: “It was only a matter of time before that building crumbled. It’s just been left there to rot. There was even a tree growing out of the roof.
“There’s actually a bench right outside and there are always students or mums with their kids there. I’m convinced if it had happened two or three hours earlier there would have been a casualty or even a death.”
Emergency services were called at 7pm on Thursday. Building inspectors were at the scene, near the Robinson’s brewery, yesterday amid fears about adjoining buildings.
A council spokesman said: “The council has been working with emergency services to ensure the site is safe.”
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news...
Nov 24, 2013
Starr DiGiacomo
Two buildings collapsed in Alexandria.
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/87393/Egypt/Politics-/...
At least one person died when a building collapsed in Alexandria on Sunday, Al-Ahram Arabic news website reported.
Mohamed Nasser, a civil defence official, said the ramshackle building in the western Attarien district had been issued with a demolition order that was not enforced.
Residents, alerted by a partial collapse, evacuated the building shortly before it fell down, except for the slain woman.
The rescue team was looking for possible survivors under the rubble, Nasser said.
Building collapses in Egypt are often attributed to decaying infrastructure, local authorities' failure to carry out demolition orders, and unlicensed extensions of additional floors.
The coastal city of Alexandria has seen a number of major building collapses in recent years.
Similar incidents left one dead in the city in May and another in February.
In January, a building collapsed in El-Maamoura district killing 28 and injuring at least 11.
In 2008, at least 11 were killed in Alexandria after a four-storey building collapsed at night while residents were sleeping.
A similar collapse in July 2012 killed at least nine people, and in October that year, a further four were killed
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/87415/Egypt/Politics-/...
At least one woman was killed and four others injured when a dilapidated building subsided in the western Al-Gomruk district, Al-Ahram's Arabic news website reported.
Late on Sunday, a two-storey apartment building collapsed west of the city, leaving an elderly woman dead.
Officials say both buildings were issued demolition orders that weren't enforced.
Building collapses in Egypt are frequent in poor areas, and are often attributed to decaying infrastructure, local authorities' failure to carry out demolition orders, and unlicensed extensions of additional floors. The government is frequently blamed for lax enforcement of construction laws.
The coastal city of Alexandria has been plagued by major building collapses in recent years.
Similar incidents left one dead in the city in May and another in February.
In one of the deadliest incidents, a building collapsed in January in El-Maamoura district, killing 28 and injuring at least 11
Nov 25, 2013
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/bangalore-five-killed-in-buildin...
Bangalore: five killed in building collapse, two injured
Fire fighters and Civil Defence personnel clearing the debris of a building which collapsed at Adugodi area in Bangalore on Tuesday.
Bangalore: Five persons were killed and two others injured when a dilapidated house collapsed and brought down some other adjoining ramshackle residential units in Bangalore today.
Bodies of the victims -- two labourers from Uttar Pradesh, a two-year-old child and two women -- were recovered from under the debris, police and fire officials said.
The injured were admitted to a nearby hospital.
The house located on a godown collapsed first and four others adjacent to the building, inhabited mostly by labourers, crumbled under its impact, the officials said.
A police official said the building's walls were weak and the heavy downpour a few days ago had made it worse.
Police said a case had been registered against the building owner.
Five brigade personnel were engaged in rescue and relief work, they said.
Nov 26, 2013
KM
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/27/world-cup-opener-stadium-c...
World Cup Stadium In Brazil Partially Collapses; 3 Killed
11/27/13 11:46 AM ET EST
SAO PAULO (AP) — Part of the stadium that will host the 2014 World Cup opener in Brazil collapsed on Wednesday, causing significant damage and killing three people, authorities said.
The accident could delay the delivery of the stadium in Sao Paulo by FIFA's December deadline to have all 12 venues ready. Work was immediately halted at the Itaquerao Stadium, which was practically completed before the collapse.
Television images showed a huge metal structure buckled atop the stadium, destroying part of the stands in the east side of the venue. A LED panel installed outside the venue also was hit.
Firefighter official Mauro Lopes said in a radio interview that at least three people died in the accident, which apparently happened when a crane collapsed on top of the metal structure. The crane was installing what was the last part of the structure.
Brazilian club Corinthians, which owns the stadium, released a brief statement "lamenting" the accident.
Constructor Odebrecht said it was already investigating what happened.
Brazil is running against time to deliver the last six World Cup stadiums by the end of the year, although work at the Itaquerao was advanced compared to the other venues.
Nov 28, 2013
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Search-chapel-building-collapses-Ca...
PICTURES: "Miracle no one was killed" after chapel collapses in Castle Street, Launceston
Thursday, November 28, 2013
LAUNCESTON residents have said it is miracle no one was killed after a derelict chapel collapsed in the street.
Emergency services were called to Castle Street at around 12.30am this morning after the building – the former Launceston Congregational Church – collapsed.
"I heard a noise around midnight, it sounded like fireworks or bangers. When I went out my car, a metallic blue VW Golf, it was under the debris. Some of the rafters from the roof were covering it and it has been badly damaged.
"The wing mirrors and door handles have been knocked off and there are dents and scratches all over it. I can't move it at the moment but I think it is still repairable."
She said that “someone could have been killed” if the building had collapsed during daylight hours, especially around the time children leave school.
Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "If this had happened between 3.30pm and 4pm, when children are coming from school, this could have been a disaster, another Aberfan. It is lucky that it happened when no-one was passing by."
The derelict church, built as a Congregational Church in the 1860s, closed after around 100 years. The building was sold to members of the Bate family, from Tresmeer, members of the Downinney Four Square Gospel, in 1964.
It continued as the Castle Street Chapel until about 30 years ago. Members of the congregation meet elsewhere in the town, currently in a classroom at the St Joseph's School in St Stephen's Hill, because their old building was unsuitable.
It is currently owned by two elderly trustees and had been on the market but was unsold.
It stands at the end of Castle Street, described by John Betjeman as containing "the most perfect collection of eighteenth century town houses in Cornwall."
It is less than 100 yards down the one-way Castle Street from the Eagle House Hotel and near the Lawrence House Museum.
Sophie Dunleavy, proprietor of the Eagle House Hotel, said the road was blocked at a point past their entrance.
"People can drive down to us and the police are permitting vehicles to return against the flow of the one-way system towards the town centre. That is helpful to us because we have heard it could be blocked for a week," said Ms Dunleavy.
The fire service confirmed earlier that it had completed its search of the building, with no one found to be trapped or injured.
A spokesman said: "Firefighters from Launceston and Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service have completed a full search, within their capability, of the building and vicinity.
"No-one has been found trapped.
"The firefighters have made up their equipment and have now left the incident in care of Cornwall Council Building Control."
Fire crews had deployed a rescue dog to search through the rubble in the early hours, following the collapse of the building at 12.30am.
Part of the roof had completely collapsed and debris had fallen into the road.
A fire service spokesman said: “Firefighters initiated a search using a thermal imaging camera and initial signs are that no-one is involved.
“To be certain a search and rescue dog and specialist team from Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service were requested/”
At 4am, the dog was deployed to search the rubble.
Castle Street has been closed to traffic and will remain closed for some considerable time.
The spokesman added: “Members of the public are asked to stay away from the area to allow firefighters to conduct their search.”
The collapsed chapel building in Launceston
The roof of the 150-year-old building came crashing down and sent debris flying into the road.
Lisa Hedges, who lives in Northgate Place, on the opposite side of the walkway to one of the Chapel walls, had her car damaged by debris from the falling roof, but says it was a miracle that no one was hurt.
Nov 28, 2013
Starr DiGiacomo
http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/international/americas/2013/11...
Cuba says 2 dead as heavy rains collapse buildings
HAVANA — Two people are dead from torrential rains that lashed Cuba for more than 24 hours, island authorities said Saturday.
The deluge caused multiple collapses in dwellings in Havana, Communist Party newspaper Granma reported. A man and a woman were killed in one structure that caved in.
Yunior Amesa, nephew of the deceased man, told The Associated Press he had left for work just before their building came down.
"It was raining very hard and there was a lot of weight (from the water) up there. They went to bed. Minutes before, I was sitting in there," Amesa said. "When I went to work I heard the building had collapsed and caught them both sleeping."
The rain arrived early Friday and fell near constantly throughout the day. Traffic snarled and some cars were stranded, as intersections flooded and streets turned into rushing rivers.
Cuba's Meteorological Institute recorded 2.8 inches (72 millimeters) of precipitation during a single three-hour period in the afternoon in Havana, and accumulations of up to 7.8 inches (200 millimeters) overnight.
Rain continued to fall in the capital early Saturday, and the famed seaside Malecon boulevard remained closed because of high surf that was breaking over the seawall and onto the street.
Granma said the area affected ranged from the western province of Artemisa to Ciego de Avila in the central part of the country.
Nov 30, 2013
Starr DiGiacomo
http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2013_12_02/Wall-crumbles-in-Italys-Po...
2 December 2013, 14:50Wall crumbles in Italy's Pompeii ruins after heavy rains
Photo: EPA
One the world's most renowned archeological parks - the ancient Roman city of Pompeii - has been plagued by yet another building collapse, according to Italian news reports Monday.
In the latest incident, caused by heavy rain and wind on Sunday, a wall of an ancient shop in the city's Via Stabiana crumbled, and some plaster fell from the nearby House of the Fountain.
Conservation authorities said repair work would start by mid-December, as the damaged buildings are in an area that was already set to be restored as part of a 105-million-euro (142-million-dollar) project launched in February thanks to European Union funds.
According to Antonio Pepe, a local trade unionist, the fundamental cause of the latest collapse was the fact that "ordinary maintenance work has been neglected for too many years."
Since 2010, at least a dozen buildings at the UNESCO World Heritage site have crumbled, including the famous House of the Gladiators.
Two weeks ago, cracks appeared in another wall and plaster fell from another building at the site. Several investigations have revealed that past maintenance and restoration work in Pompeii was undermined by corrupt officials and infiltration by the local mafia, the Naples-based Camorra.
Once a prosperous Roman city, Pompeii was destroyed in 79 AD, along with nearby Hercolaneum, by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius that killed thousands of people and buried them in six metres of volcanic ash.
Dec 2, 2013
Starr DiGiacomo
http://news.yahoo.com/five-story-building-collapses-sao-paulo-00141...
Five-story building collapses in Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo (AFP) - A five-story building under construction collapsed outside Sao Paulo late Monday but officials said there was no word on casualties.
More than 70 firefighters, accompanied by sniffer dogs, were on the scene, combing through the rubble of the building in search of possible victims in the city of Guarulhos, the fire department said.
It said 13 workers had been working on the site but were not inside when the building gave way, apparently as a result of a structural fault.
Search teams were looking for one person who might have been inside, the department said on its Twitter account.
Television pictures showed a huge crater where the building stood.
"It was a building under construction, with all the features of a commercial building," Civil Defense coordinator Victor Novaes told Globonews.
Authorities said a nearby building was evacuated as a precautionary measure to ensure it did not sustain damage.
Guarulhos is home to Sao Paulo's main international airport.
Last August, 10 people were killed in the collapse of a building under construction in Sao Paulo, Brazil's most populous city and business capital.
Dec 3, 2013
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/dead-injured-upstate-new-york-c...
One dead, two injured after retaining wall collapse at upstate New York construction site
A retaining wall gave way as concrete was poured Monday in Maybrook, trapping one worker and injuring two others. It took hours to lift and secure the wall to recover the body of the dead worker.
BY SASHA GOLDSTEIN / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2013, 5:38 PM
ABC 7
ABC News took video from above the accident scene Monday afternoon. One of the survivors was flown to a local medical center.
One person is dead and two were injured after a retaining wall collapsed on three workers Monday at a Maybrook, New York construction site.
It took emergency personnel hours to lift the wall off the body of the dead worker, who was killed when the wall gave way as concrete was poured around 12:30 p.m. at 918 Homestead Ave. in Orange County.
Dec 3, 2013
Starr DiGiacomo
Complete and utter road collapse with more roads at risk in Italy.
http://www.independent.ie/videos/world-news/supermarket-sinks-into-...
Supermarket sinks into ground in devastating landslide
video link of the devastation.
Giant craters were ripped out of roads in southern Italy and buildings sank into the ground after a major landslide tore through a small town.
Dec 4, 2013
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.abc-7.com/story/24125981/kenilworth-boulevard-closed-col...
Culvert collapse sinks portion of Port Charlotte road
Updated: Dec 04, 2013 10:36 PM ESTA Port Charlotte road could remain closed for up to a year after a culvert running beneath it collapsed, causing the pavement to buckle and making the road impassable.
Simply replacing a culvert costs about $1 million. Add in the repairs now needed to Kenilworth Boulevard, and the bill may be quite a bit higher.
The price plays into the time to fix it - the county says that, at the moment, they just don't have the funds.
Kenilworth isn't a main road, so the effects on traffic are confined to residents of the immediate area.
It's closed from Porter Street to Yorkshire Road.
The collapse doesn't come as a complete surprise. The county started an extensive water structure replacement project in Port Charlotte in 2000 because many of the drainage pipes are failing.
So far, 26 of the 40 targeted have been replaced.
Dec 5, 2013
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/Culvert-Collapse-Strands-Residen...
Collapsed Culvert Leaves Neighbors Stranded
POCA, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Even though the heavy rains are behind us, for some people in Putnam County, the headache
is just beginning.
"We have no way of getting in and out," Loretta Lovejoy said.
Some neighbors in Poca woke up Saturday morning to find the only road in and out of their small community washed away.
Following a quick
period of freeze and thaw, Friday's heavy rains easily cleared the loose sediment that held a culvert in place.
Lovejoy's ailing mother
lives in one of the stranded houses.
"She has lung problems, she has heart problems," Lovejoy said.
She's concerned over whether an ambulance could get in.
"I worry about my mom
being out here, and then us not being able to get in here to her if something did happen," Lovejoy said.
Unfortunately, the path to get this road and others back open is an uncertain one.
"Water, it's different than snow. It's kind of a wait and see. You can't push the water out of the way," Carrie Bly with the Department of Highways said.
For DOH officials, these wet conditions mean changing gears.
Usually, December brings snow preps. Now, they're shuffling to clear debris
It's forcing people to rely on back roads, or in the case in Poca, the kindness of a neighboring company allowing them to escape
through a cleared path
If the company wouldn't allow these people to use their property, the DOH says they will work with emergency services to give neighbors access to emergency care.
Unfortunately, it looks like it'll be about a week until Old Delta Road is back open.
A new culvert has been ordered and will be cut and installed as soon as possible.
Dec 8, 2013
Starr DiGiacomo
http://tribune.com.pk/story/643391/accident-eight-labourers-injured...
Accident: Eight labourers injured in roof collapse
Four press workers and four labourers were buried underneath the rubble. PHOTO: FILE
Eight labourers and factory workers were injured on Monday when the roof of an under-construction house in Madina Town caved in. A wall of an adjacent building also collapsed.
Rescue officials believe the roof collapsed due to vibrations caused by heavy machinery being operated at the adjacent printing press.
The injured, including four printing press workers, were taken to the district headquarters hospital.
Police said Mirza Gulbaz, a resident of Mansoorabad, had set up printing press on Mehar Chowk in Madina Town. He had installed heavy machinery.
They said the machinery was so heavy that the entire building jolted while it was being used.
They said the continuous jolts had resulted in the collapse of the roof of an under-construction house adjacent to the press building. A wall of the press building also came down.
Four press workers and four labourers were buried underneath the rubble. Rescue officials were called and the men were pulled out.
The injured were identified as Shehzad Ibrahim of Chak 115-RB, Abdus Shakoor of Chicha Watni, Muhammad Umar of 202 Gatti Sharqi, Sohail Arshad of Rasool Park, Shehbaz Riaz of Rasool Park, Mehmood Ali of Data Park in Mansoorabad, Iftikhar Jaffar of Rasool Park and Hafeez Mughal of Chak 115-RB.
Peoples Colony ASP Ataur Rehman and Madina Town Station House Officer Muhammad Hussain arrived at the spot.
The ASP ordered an inquiry into the incident. He said it would be probed if the builders had been using sub-standard material for the construction.
Police said they had not received a complaint so far.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 10th, 2013.
Dec 9, 2013
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.ktvu.com/news/news/local/fire-crews-responding-reports-c...
Posted: 11:07 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16, 2013
House collapses in San Francisco's Twin Peaks neighborhood
SAN FRANCISCO —
A home undergoing a major remodeling project collapsed late Monday night, tumbling down a hillside in San Francisco's Twin Peaks neighborhood, authorities said.
San Francisco police said they began getting phone calls at about 10:30 p.m. reporting the collapse of the residence in the 100 block of Crown Terrace.
Fortunately, no one was in the home at the time of the collapse. A nearby home, however, had to be evacuated.
The home was owned by San Francisco Port Commissioner Mel Murphy and was in the process of a major expansion from a two-story structure to four stories. Construction crews were in the process of adding 4,000 square feet to the home.
Building inspectors were set to examine the rubble in an attempt to determine the cause of the collapse.
Records show the home was originally built in 1941 and that Murphy had originally sought permission to demolish and replace it with a new structure.
Dec 17, 2013
Howard
Apollo Theatre Ceiling Collapses in London During Show, Over 80 Injured (Dec 19)
A rescue operation was under way Thursday after part of the ceiling in the Apollo Theatre in central London collapsed during a performance, injuring more than 80 people, four of them seriously, officials said.
Nick Harding from Kingsland Fire Station said: "A section of the theatre's ceiling collapsed onto the audience who were watching the show. The ceiling took parts of the balconies down with it.
He added: "In my time as a fire officer I've never seen an incident like this."
"It was like slow motion," said one girl, who initially thought the sound of the falling ceiling was sound effects, but soon learned otherwise. "It just kinda came down."
"You initially thought it was part of the play and then you could feel things on you," said an older woman. "The dust that came down -- you couldn't see in front of you."
Metropolitan Police said in a tweet that those who were seriously hurt had been taken to hospitals in central London, and that there was no immediate indication of fatalities.
Authorities responded to the report at about 8:15 p.m., police said in a tweet.
Within an hour, a spokesman for the fire department said everyone including those who had been hurt had been freed from the building, which was at or near its 775-seat capacity, as is customary during the Christmas season.
Martin Bostock, who was with his wife and two children, said he thought the cave-in was part of the show until something very hard hit him on the head and chaos and panic erupted.
"You couldn't see across the room because of the dust, which we were all breathing in," he told CNN. "It was absolutely horrific and very terrifying. I was with my wife and two kids. Thank God, we got out."
Paramedics arrived carrying stretchers as police cordoned off the area.
A few minutes later, some of the paramedics emerged from the theater, their stretcher full; others helped someone limp out of the building.
A 29-year-old theatergoer named Hannah told CNN that she witnessed the event, which occurred about 40 minutes into the show, from Row E, near the front.
She said it started slowly, then accelerated as it dropped plaster and wood on the crowd. She said she heard someone say that a woman had broken her leg and she saw people with cuts and scrapes. But, she added, people made their way out of the building in an orderly manner.
Many were taken initially to the Lyric Theatre, located next door.
As she spoke, dozens and dozens of police, fire and ambulance vehicles filled the street in front of the theater.
Sources
http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/19/world/europe/britain-london-theater-c...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-25458009
Dec 19, 2013
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/houses-pub-evacuated-after-bel...
Houses and pub evacuated after Bell Shopping Centre in Kent collapses
No injuries have been reported but a large part of Sittingbourne has been cordoned off as a precaution
A large part of a town centre has been evacuated after part of a shopping centre collapsed in Kent.
Emergency services were called to the Bell Centre in Sittingbourne around 6pm.
Pictures from the scene appear to show part of the building has fallen onto parked cars.
Follow us: @DailyMirror on Twitter | DailyMirror on Facebook
SITTINGBOURNE update: Another photo of the collapsed Bell Centre. Unknown if anyone's injured.
Dec 22, 2013
Lana
Shocking Indian football stadium collapse leaves more than 100 people injured
Watch the video on the link:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/10525916/Shocking-Indian-...
Dec 22, 2013
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-25518485
26 December 2013 Last updated at 08:50 ET
Calstock homes cut off after road collapses
Part of a Cornwall village has been cut off after a section of road collapsed following heavy rain.
At least 20 homes in Calstock are without road access after the landslip on Lower Kelly on Christmas Day.
Fire crews have moved a car to safety which was perched on the edge of the road following the slip.
Resident Thierry Lauze said he had to borrow a car because of the collapse as "unfortunately, I think our car is going to stay here for a long time."
The rainfall on Monday and Tuesday led to homes in south-east and south-west England being flooded.
Many rivers remain swollen after the storms, which led to power cuts and travel delays, but in Cornwall, Western Power Distribution reported that electricity had been restored to all homes and businesses who suffered cuts earlier this week.
The Environment Agency has warned that there could be further significant flooding in parts of southern England as heavy rain and high winds is forecast across the UK.
http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/PICTURES-Road-collapses-banks-River...
Road collapses on banks of River Tamar as Plymouth travellers warned about storms ahead
By Plymouth Herald | Posted: December 27, 2013
TRAVELLERS are being warned to brace themselves for disruption today as stormy weather looks set to return to Plymouth.
The city briefly basked in winter sun yesterday – but it didn’t last as a low pressure system headed towards the South West bringing more rain and winds.
As much as 20mm of rain was predicted to have landed on Plymouth overnight, after the heavens opened during the evening.
High winds caused a tree to fall in Budshead Road overnight, with police closing the Milford Lane in both directions whilst it was cleared away.
And a lamppost fell down across the road outside the Spar shop in Ford Street, Tavistock.
But while the rain subsides into showers today, the city is expected to be battered by winds of up to 70mph.
“There will be strong winds from the early hours of Friday and throughout much of the day,” said forecaster Helen Roberts at the Met Office in Exeter. “There will be blustery showers.”
She added: “Travel disruption will be the big thing. People planning to travel on Friday will face strong winds so there’s inevitably going to be problems on road and rail.
“So take care if travelling, and if you don’t have to do it, leave it until later.”
She advised people hoping to make a move after the Christmas break to stay aware of the weather situation by checking with the Met Office website, and look out for any warnings.
Meanwhile, the rain landing on Plymouth is likely to only add to already saturated ground, leading to the danger of flooding and landslips.
In Calstock, South East Cornwall, a road had already collapsed, thought to be resulting from saturated ground. Resident Ian Craft said the highway, in Lower Kelly, began to subside mid-morning on Christmas Day and then sank further during the night.
“Five houses have been evacuated,” he said. “They have managed to find accommodation with friends or relatives. Nobody was hurt. We still have power and water.”
He said the road was a dead-end, and some residents were unable to get their cars through.
Mrs Roberts, at the Met Office, said the current rainfall was not expected to be heavy – but warned: “The ground is saturated at the moment and can’t take more, so we could get localised flooding issues.”
As for the weekend, that looks set for better weather, with Mrs Roberts saying: “Saturday will have a few heavy showers, but with brighter spells in between, and winds being less strong.”
And she said Sunday would be a “fairly decent day”. But it won’t last. The next low pressure system is set to arrive overnight between Sunday and Monday, and more rain and gales could strike on New Year’s Eve.
Dec 27, 2013
Starr DiGiacomo
December 28 2013
Tijuana-Ensenada scenic road collapses towards cliffside
Could take up to year to repair while travelers forced to use old two-lane road
ENSENADA.- Days after a 4.6 earthquake struck south of Ensenada, the Tijuana-Ensenada toll road has collapsed towards the sea and threatens on continuing to sink, although no injuries where reported.
The scenic road had already seen evidence of fractures and sinking since December 19th, the day of the earthquake, with many travelers posting pictures on social media of the increasingly critical situation of the highway. However, no official confirmation from geologist or road engineers have confirmed the collapse is due completely to the earthquake, with only the state government saying that "natural causes" were to blame.
This morning, the small fractures suddenly turned into enormous cracks on the cliffside, plunging the highway deeper and towards the sea (while not there ye), with some parts caving almost 300 feet.
http://www.sandiegored.com/noticias/46775/Tijuana-Ensenada-scenic-r...
Dec 29, 2013
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/news/article.html/con...
Officials: Body found, not yet recovered in 'ground collapse' in Ruskin
The incident happened at the South County Waste Water Treatment Plant, located at 520 TECO Road in Ruskin.
RUSKIN --
A man was killed after falling into what officials are calling a 'ground collapse' in Hillsborough County.
The incident happened at the South County Waste Water Treatment Plant, located at 520 TECO Road in Ruskin. Officials are still at the scene attempting to recover the man's body.
Hillsborough Fire & Rescue responded to the scene for a rescue operation. Officials say the victim was walking along a pipeline when the ground gave way. Another person was with the victim and saw what happened. That person grabbed the victim's hand, but had to let go.
Officials had to close northbound and southbound I-75 between Big Bend Road and State Road 674 to accommodate the equipment needed for the rescue.
Officials said the treatment plant is currently under construction for an $80 million expansion.
another link
http://www.mysuncoast.com/news/worker-killed-after-ground-collapses...
Worker killed after ground collapses at water plant
Posted: Thursday, January 2, 2014 11:50 pm
RUSKIN, FL. -- A man is dead after the ground collapsed from underneath him at a water plant in Hillsborough County.
Jan 3, 2014
Tracie Crespo
http://news.msn.com/world/india-building-collapse-kills-7-dozens-tr...
India building collapse kills 7; dozens trapped
Police and residents pulled seven bodies from the wreckage, while firefighters and rescue workers were sifting through the debris for survivors.
PANAJI, India — A five-story building under construction in the southern Indian state of Goa collapsed on Saturday, killing at least seven workers and leaving dozens more feared trapped under the rubble, police said.
Authorities were trying to determine how many people were at the construction site when the structure crumpled in Canacona, a city about 70 kilometers (44 miles) from the state capital of Panaji, Police Superintendent Shekhar Prabhudessai said.
Witnesses said about 40 workers were at the site.
"It was like an earthquake when the building fell," witness Ramesh Naik said. "You could not see what exactly had happened because of the dust."
44 miles from the state capital of Panaji, India, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014. A five-story building under construction in the southern Indian state of Goa collapsed on Saturday, killing at least seven workers and leaving dozens more feared trapped under the rubble, police said. (AP Photo
Indian workers stand amid the debris of a building that collapsed in Canacona, a city about 70 kilometers (44 miles) from the state capital of Panaji, India, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014. (AP Photo)
Police and residents pulled seven bodies from the wreckage, while firefighters and rescue workers were sifting through the debris for survivors.
Ambulances took at least three seriously injured workers to a hospital for treatment.
Prabhudessai said the cause of the collapse had not been determined.
Building collapses are common in India, as massive demand for housing and lax regulations often encourage builders to cut corners by using substandard materials or add unauthorized extra floors.
Jan 4, 2014
Kojima
Cracked buildings out of bounds [New Straits Times; 13 January, 2014]
SAFETY FEARS: Building forensics consultant to establish the cause of cracks
PONTIAN: THE Pontian Baru Fire and Rescue Department has stopped monitoring the buildings in Kukup that suffered severe cracks on Thursday.
A spokesman, who declined to be named, said that all is calm now in Kukup, and there is no further need to continue monitoring the site.
"There are still people going there, especially curious onlookers, but the place has been cordoned off to prevent the public from entering the premises," he said.
The Pontian District Council could not be reached for comment.
However, in a recent report, the council said it had hired a building forensics consultant, Kumpulan Ikram Sdn Bhd, to establish the cause of the cracks.
The probe is expected to be completed early next month.
It was reported that a decision would be made on whether to demolish the building once the report is ready.
In the incident, the patrons were enjoying their breakfast at a restaurant in the Kukup Laut Business Centre here when they noticed the building pillars starting to crack.
Restaurant owner, Tey Siang Huat, 50, said the wok and pans that were hanging on the wall, as well as plates and glasses on a shelf, started to fall in the 8.30am incident.
"I was terrified. I felt the tremors and shouted for the patrons to run out of the restaurant," said Tey.
A patron, Ang Bee Hing, 64, said she was at the back of the building when she saw people running out of the restaurant.
"At first, I didn't know what was happening. Then I heard them shouting and I decided to run too," said Ang.
Another patron who only wanted to be known as Chan, 45, said he was seated near the pillar having breakfast with some friends.
"I could see the cracks appearing on the pillar, fearing that the building would collapse.
"I thought I was going to die," said Chan.
The police, firemen and personnel from the Pontian district office later arrived.
The police quickly cordoned off the area.
Pontian Baru Fire and Rescue Department chief Zulbahry Sulong assured residents that there was no need to panic as the department did not receive any earthquake reports or tsunami warnings.
Council president Miswan Yunus said the council was working with the Public Works Department to check the structure of the eight-year-old building.
Miswan said a probe would be launched.
The building comprises 16 three-storey shop houses. Of these, three of the shop houses -- the restaurant, a hostel and a snooker centre -- were damaged by the tremor.
No casualties were reported and all occupants had been evacuated from the premises.
Kukup assemblyman Suhaimi Salleh said this was the first time such an incident had occurred.
Suhaimi said the building was built on reclaimed land.
"Let the local council carry out its probe before we start finger pointing at anyone," he added.
Kukup is a small fishing village located about 20km away from Pontian town and 69km away from Johor Baru.
Miswan Yunus (second from left) and Suhaimi Salleh (right) viewing the affected properties. Pic by Anja Asmara
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/01/10/Earthquake-in-Pont...
Jan 13, 2014
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/news/local/building-collapse-e...
Building collapse evacuates Burlington City homes
Sunday, January 12, 2014 12:15 pm | Updated: 10:48 am, Mon Jan 13, 2014.
BURLINGTON CITY — Shivering in her pajamas and looking at the home her family was forced out of Saturday night wasn’t the way Kathy Love-Taylor wanted to spend Sunday morning.
But that was what she was doing on the 300 block of Union Street, where the partial collapse of the vacant, three-story brick duplex next door had nearly leveled a portion of Love-Taylor’s own home.
“We were watching a movie when we thought we heard thunder, then crashing noises. I went in to check on my son. My husband opened the door and there were bricks in the bedroom,” said Love-Taylor, who slept on the floor of relatives Saturday night. “I’m just thankful everyone was safe and no one was hurt.”
City officials confirmed there were no injuries in the incident, which happened at 5:09 p.m. Saturday and drew responders from multiple agencies.
A gaping hole was left in the home’s rear wall and rooftop.
Officials evacuated the house on the other side of the collapse and nearly half a dozen homes across the street. A spokeswoman for the American Red Cross said the agency arranged hotel accommodations for three households and was preparing to help a fourth on Monday.
The residents across the street were able to return to their homes Sunday because of safety fencing between the collapse site and the homes, Mayor James Fazzone said Sunday morning as he and other officials arranged for the building’s demolition.
But the homes on either side will have to remain empty throughout the demolition of the collapsed home.
“We feel it would be too dangerous for folks to stay in those buildings,” Fazzone said.
Agencies on scene included the city’s Police, Fire, Code Enforcement and Emergency Management departments, along with the Endeavor Emergency Squad, and Burlington County’s Office of Emergency Management and Technical Search and Rescue and Hazardous Materials teams.
Residents are urged to avoid the area while the investigation continues.
Frank Caruso, the city’s Office of Emergency Management director, attributed the cause to the age and condition of the structure.
“It was weakened from years of deterioration,” said Caruso. “It’s a miracle no one was hurt.”
Structural collapses have kept the city busy in recent weeks. On Dec. 29, a ceiling collapse in an apartment building on High Street displaced two households, including three children.
Jan 13, 2014
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Bay-Harbor-Island-Deck-Collapse-...
Bay Harbor Island Deck Collapse Sends 20 Into Water
Two were sent to the hospital with minor injuries, according to fire officials.
Saturday, Jan 18, 2014 | Updated 6:31 PM EST
Two were injured after a deck collapse sent 20 people into the water at a Bay Harbor Island building during a memorial service Saturday afternoon, officials said. NBC 6's Gilma Avalos reports.
Two were injured after a deck collapse sent 20 people into the water at a Bay Harbor Island building during a memorial service Saturday afternoon, officials said.
The deck collapse happened around 3 p.m. at 9341 E Bay Harbour Drive, according to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.
Witnesses said the victims were on the deck to commemorate the life of Brian Gilmore, who had recently died after a battle with cancer. They were throwing flowers into the water in his memory when the deck collapsed.
"We went face first into the water. That was fun," said Mike Carney, an employee of Gilmore's.
Carney said he found himself treading water after the collapse, his phone and keys lost in the water. He said he had some pain from bruising.
Authorities said 40 people attended the wake. Those who fell into the water were able to get to safety before rescue crews arrived. Two were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries, according to officials.
Fire officials said it appeared there were too many people on the deck considering the condition it was in, but a thorough investigation is pending.
"The dock appears to be old, however our initial investigation reveals there are some new planks and support beams and securing anchors. So it looks like there were some recent repairs," said Bay Harbor Islands Police Chief Sean Hemingway.
Jan 19, 2014
Howard
Several building collapses in N. America today.
Multiple Casualties at Nebraska Building Collapse (Jan 20)
Thirty-eight workers were inside International Nutrition, near 77th and I Streets in Omaha, when it collapsed just after 10 a.m. Monday. Multiple people were injured.
http://www.wowt.com/home/headlines/Two-People-Reportedly-Trapped-In...
A storage building at the Four Seasons Country Club in Irving collapsed on Monday morning. The incident was first reported just after 5:30 a.m. at the 7,000 square foot building in the 4900 block of MacArthur Boulevard, near Windsor View Drive.
Storage Building Collapses In Irving, Texas (Jan 20)
http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2014/01/20/storage-building-collapses-in-ir...
A Sylvan Lake town employee escaped unharmed when the roof collapsed on the central Alberta town's arena early this morning.
Alberta Arena Roof Collapses, Structure Still Unstable (Jan 20)
The worker was inside at 1 a.m., working on the ice surface when he noticed some unusual sounds, said spokesperson Joanne Gaudet.
"We did have the one employee inside who was inside flooding the rink at the time," she said. "He heard a couple of pops and bangs and then the one side of the facility collapsed.
He got out and then a portion of the roof came down.
The sheer force of the collapse blew out an entire wall, she said.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/sylvan-lake-arena-roof-colla...
Jan 20, 2014
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/10970687.House_collapse_in_Cam...
House collapse in Camborne: PICTURE GALLERY
4:10pm Wednesday 29th January 2014 in News
A house collapsed in Camborne in the early hours of this morning. Nearby residents reported a loud rumble at around 5am this morning.
There are reports that a large crack formed in the property on Tehidy Road yesterday and that Cormac were on site. The area is riddled with mine shafts, with one opening up in a garden next door years ago according to a neighbour.
Tehidy Road is closed both ways due to building masonry in the road between Reskadinnick Road and Vyvyan Street.
The road has been closed due to a collapsed building however properties on the road are still accessible.
Photos: John Beach www.johnbeachphotography.co.uk
Jan 30, 2014
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.arabnews.com/news/519201
One hurt, 14 rescued in house collapse
RIYADH: ARAB NEWS
Published — Sunday 2 February 2014
A resident was injured and 14 Pakistani nationals rescued following the collapse of a two-story mud house in Riyadh's Al-Deira district on Friday afternoon.
Maj. Mohammed Al-Hamadi, media spokesman in Riyadh, said: “The Civil Defense received news of the accident at 1:09 p.m. on Friday afternoon. The mud-walled building consisted of two floors which collapsed, sending the debris on the street in Al-Deira district.”
“Civil Defense teams rushed to the site and found that the building in an area of 70 square meters had collapsed. The façade of the building had come down and resulted in injuring one person and damaging a car parked nearby,” he added.
Al-Hamadi said: “The accident also led to the detention of 14 Pakistani laborers who were in the building at the time.” The building was evacuated immediately by the Civil Defense teams. “Everyone was safe except for one citizen who was injured”, he affirmed.
Al-Hamadi stressed that investigation is still under way to ascertain the cause of the collapse.
In related news, residents of the Manfouha neighborhood in Riyadh were surprised by the collapse of an old residential building at about 10 p.m. on Friday evening.
According to eyewitnesses, the building was very old and its owner had died years ago.
Some of the local residents said that the building was uninhabited and had been abandoned a long time ago. There were no casualties, although some cars parked nearby were damaged. Police have begun investigations into this incident too.
Feb 2, 2014
Starr DiGiacomo
http://eng.24.kg/incidents/2014/02/03/29762.html
Madrasa building collapses in Suzak district, 56 people injured
About 56 people were injured in collapse of building madrasa’s second floor in Kumush-Aziz village, Suzak district, the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported to 24.kg news agency .
The incident happened during Koran recitation. Investigation police team visited the site of accident. Circumstances of the incident are investigated.
http://thefrontierpost.com/article/72913/Roof-collapse-leaves-6-dead/
Roof collapse leaves 6 dead
Posted on 2014-02-03 01:29:22
Mian Channu (Online): At least six people died and over 40 sustained injuries when roof of a Madrasa (religious school) collapsed in Rehmat Colony of Mian Channu, district of central Punjab, officials said on Sunday. According to local police, roof of Madrasa adjoining a Sunni mosque was collapsed on Sunday morning when Talibs (students) were busy in taking their lesion of Holy Qura’n. One woman was also among 6 killed in mishap while 48 sustained serious injuries. Police and rescue teams rushed to the scene soon after incident took place. The injured were shifted to Mian Channu District Head Quarters hospital where condition of many wounded reported critical which feared more casualties. Police has kicked off its investigations; initial report said building of Madrasa was weak enough to build double storey.
Feb 3, 2014
Starr DiGiacomo
http://tribune.com.pk/story/666696/avoidable-tragedy-labourer-kille...
Avoidable tragedy: Labourer killed, 13 injured in factory collapse
February 3rd 2014
At least 14 workers were trapped under the debris after the structure suddenly collapsed. PHOTO: MUHAMMAD IQBAL/EXPRESS
A labourer was killed and 13 others were injured when an under construction ice factory collapsed near Jamil Chowk, Ring Road on Sunday afternoon.
At least 14 workers were trapped under the debris when the structure suddenly collapsed.
Rescue 1122 pulled them out, but one person had died while the other 13 seriously injured and were rushed to Lady Reading Hospital.
The deceased has been identified as Saifullah, a resident of Wahid Garhi, while Muhammad Saeed, Taj Muhammad, Wali Khan, Alaowdin, Abdul Qayum, Ismail Khan, Raj Wali, Irfan, Asad Ali, Imtiaz, Ziaur Rehman, Humayun and Zirat Shah are injured. Some of them are in critical condition.
“The building collapsed due to lack of precautionary measures and use of substandard materials,” said a Rescue 1122 official.
Feb 3, 2014
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.wzzm13.com/news/article/280269/48/Building-collapses-in-...
Building collapses in SE Grand Rapids
1:44 PM, Feb 6, 2014
GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) -- Emergency crews are on the scene of abuilding
collapse in southeast Grand Rapids.
The building at 949 Wealthy Street came down just before 1 p.m. Thursday, according to a witness who works across the street. The owner says no one was inside at the time.
Rachel Lee, of the East Hills Council of Neighbors, tells WZZM 13 the building is known as the Green Garage and is owned by Bazzani and Associates. Employees in area park there and the building sometimes houses other vehicles.
Our crew on the scene reports several classic cars inside the garage appear to have been destroyed. A couple of cars outside were also damaged.
Feb 6, 2014
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Cliff-coast-road-collapse/story-205...
Cliff and coast road collapse suffered at Trevone
By Cornish Guardian | Posted: February 07, 2014
UNDERMINED: The power of the waves brought down the cliff wall and closed the road.
TREVONE suffered severe storm damage at the weekend when a cliff collapsed, bringing down a coastal road.
The damaged road which leads to Crugmeer and on to Padstow, has been closed and the cost of repairing it is being assessed by Cornwall Council.
Damage was also caused to Trevone's lower car park when a wall was washed away and a stretch of the coastal path was damaged.
Padstow town councillor Ian McKey, who lives in Trevone, said: "There was a lot of damage caused by the storms on both Friday night and Saturday, but the coup de grâce was when the road beside the beach collapsed.
Mr McKey said although the road was not used by too many people, serious consequences could occur if the main road into the village now became blocked.
"The main road into Trevone is currently the only access we have into the village, and if something happened there which caused it to be blocked, then emergency vehicles would not be able to reach people and properties. The only way through would be for them to drive across fields," said Mr McKey.
Fellow town councillor Richard Higman said that the power of the sea astonished villagers who had gathered on Saturday evening to look at the damage caused.
"I've never seen waves like it. Large boulders were being tossed around like marbles.
"Huge lumps of concrete weighing ten tonnes or more were just lifted up and smashed. The state of the beach road is very serious because there is very little holding it up. I think if people even walked down there now it would give way.
Mr Higman said although the police were swift in taping off the road, he was shocked to see a family with three children taking no notice of it.
"A bloke pulled up in his car and his wife got out and lifted up the police tape to drive on through it. It was unbelievable really."
Mr Higman said he had contacted Cornwall Council about the damaged road, pointing out that there was now only one route in and out of Trevone for vehicles.
"Obviously, everyone is hoping the road can be repaired as quickly as possible, but I suspect there is an awful lot of work to be done and the cost could be considerable."
A spokesperson for the council said this week: "Staff from Cormac Structures have visited the site of the collapsed wall this morning to assess the damage.
"Cormac countryside rangers are also on site assessing and making safe the damage to the South West coast path which has also been reported in the Trevone area."
Feb 7, 2014
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.gazzettadelsud.it/news/english/78951/Palermo-market-off-...
Palermo market off-limits after building collapse
06/02/2014
Ex-art installation symbolised neglect of iconic Vucciria
Palermo, February 6 - The civil protection department and municipal employees were hard at work Thursday to secure a square in the heart of Palermo's historic Vucciria market after an abandoned building there collapsed. The structure in Piazza Garraffello - long the symbol of the state of neglect affecting the entire zone - crumbled on Wednesday evening, destroying a mobile food kiosk parked just outside. However no one was reported injured in the collapse. For several years the building had served as a base for an art installation by the young Austrian artist Uwe Jaentsch featuring used items of clothing, amputated dolls, empty tins of tomato and other rubbish collected in the area. The square is now to remain closed until further notice as the authorities check the stability of other buildings in the area. "The area will be off-limits until all the neighbouring buildings have been made secure, such as Palazzo Mazzarino which is partly at risk of collapse," architect Francesco Mereu of the municipal civil protection department said. Piazza Garraffello is at the centre of the iconic open-air street-food market in the Sicilian capital and is also an important nightlife area for young people. The city council has spent 2.4 million euros over two years to upgrade the pavement and underground systems in the Vucciria. However residents told ANSA that without a change of heart by local property owners and tenants the "city within a city" is destined to continue crumbling
Feb 7, 2014
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.kspr.com/news/nationworld/Building-collapse-at-wedding-i...
Building collapse at wedding in China kills 6
POSTED: 06:58 AM CST Feb 13, 2014
Beijing
An old auditorium collapsed at a village wedding Thursday night in eastern China, killing at least six people and injuring dozens more, state media reported.
Rescue efforts continued as local authorities investigated the cause of the collapse, state broadcaster CCTV said. It occurred around 6 p.m. (5 a.m. ET) in Pan'an County in Jinhua City, Zhejiang province.
More than more than 200 villagers were attending a wedding banquet inside, according to CCTV.
Feb 13, 2014
Starr DiGiacomo
http://citypaper.net/article.php?Second-building-collapse-of-the-da...
Second building collapse of the day, feet from Pat's Cheesesteaks
http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/news/11010258.Front_of_Burnley_te...
Front of Burnley terraced house collapses
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Snow-Roof-Collapse-New-Jersey-...
Snow-Covered Roof Collapses on Sleeping Residents in New Jersey
Feb 15, 2014
Tracie Crespo
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/building-collapse-kills-london-ca...
Building Collapse Kills London Cab Driver, Injures 2 Passengers
A cab driver in central London was crushed to death and her two passengers injured when part of a building fell on the car in a horrific accident — possibly the result of high winds hounding the country.
The incident occurred in the city's Holborn district at 11:03 pm local time Friday (6:03 pm ET) outside of the Holborn subway station, police said. After the front portion of the building collapsed, debris flew from the building and flattened the front of the car, a Skoda Octavia.
The chunks crushed the unidentified 49-year-old female driver, police said. Her two passengers — a 25-year-old male and 24-year-old female — were seated in the rear of the vehicle at the time, and were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening-injuries.
Brutal weather that has battered the U.K. is suspected to have played a part in the shocking accident, according to reports. For several days, London has experienced extreme wind and rain. Cordons are currently in place to secure the crumbling building and protect public safety.
The road where the incident took place remained closed off Saturday, and motorists were asked to avoid the area.
Feb 15, 2014
KM
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2561372/Three-students-kill...
Four students killed and at least 10 trapped after South Korean university roof collapses during welcome ceremony
By James Rush
PUBLISHED: 15:50 GMT, 17 February 2014 | UPDATED: 16:13 GMT, 17 February 2014
Four university students have died and about 10 were feared trapped after the roof of a building collapsed in a South Korean city during a welcoming ceremony for first year students, officials said.
Twenty other students were rescued and taken to hospitals, according to an official at the state-run National Emergency Management Agency.
The collapse came as about 1,000 students from Busan University of Foreign Studies gathered for an orientation event for first years at a resort in the south-eastern city of Gyeongju.
Four university students have died and about 10 others were feared trapped after the roof of a building collapsed
Feb 17, 2014
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.dailypioneer.com/city/2-die-in-paharganj-building-collap...
2 DIE IN PAHARGANJ BUILDING COLLAPSE
Two women died and two others sustained critical injuries after a three-storey building collapsed in Central Delhi’s Paharganj area on Monday afternoon. The building collapse led to chaos in the congested Pahadi Dhiraj area under the jurisdiction of Paharganj police station.
Local police has registered a case under Section 304A of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and are investigating the reasons behind the sudden collapse but no arrest has been made. They are also awaiting the report from the Delhi Fire Service (DFS). The building in question is owned by the father-in-law of famous cricketer Virender Sehwag. The building is said to be some 40 years old and was rented to various people.
The incident took place around 12 noon on Monday when the roof of the building on the third floor collapsed. The effect was such that the roof of the second floor collapsed and further damaged the first floor. Three women and a man were working on the first floor and were caught underneath the debris. They were all rushed to Bara Hindu Rao Hospital where two women were declared dead while the other two are under treatment. The deceased have been identified as Pushpa (52) and Rani (58) while the two injured are Ramu (28) and Geeta (50).
“The control room of DFS received a call around 12.30 pm and three fire tenders were rushed to the spot immediately. The rescue operations began to clear the debris,” said a fire official. Firemen rescued the two women who were trapped under the debris and they were rushed to a nearby hospital while the other two were declared dead on the arrival, a local police official added.
Police officials claimed that there was no construction taking place inside the building. “It is a very old building and owned by the father-in-law of cricketer Virender Sehwag, Advocate Swaraj Singh who had rented it out to another person. It was a residence-cum-workplace dealing in hosiery,” said a police official.
Feb 18, 2014
Tracie Crespo
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/mississippi-church-floor-collap...
Mississippi Church Floor Collapses, Injuring 35 Youths
The second floor of a Mississippi church facility collapsed Wednesday night, injuring at least 35 youth, authorities said.
None of the injuries was considered life-threatening after the floor of the Family Life Center at Freedom Baptist Church in Laurel crashed onto the gymnasium floor, said Linda Gavin, vice president of South Central Regional Medical Center.
Nineteen youths were treated and released, Gavin said. A 20th patient was airlifted to Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg with what was described as a non-life-threatening orthopedic injury. She was reported to be stable and awake.
Seventy-nine youngsters in grades seven through 12 were preparing for an evening worship service when the floor collapsed about 8:20 p.m. ET, authorities said. Jones County Sheriff Alex Hodge said the drop was about 12 feet.
Authorities were investigating the cause of the crash, which didn't appear to be weather-related. Conditions were fair weather with light winds at the time.
Gina Gentilesco and Justin Kirschner of NBC News contributed to this report.
Feb 20, 2014
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.kshb.com/news/state/missouri/mizzou-investigating-cause-...
Mizzou investigating cause of walkway collapse at apartment building
Emergency crews block off an entrance to the University Village Apartment complex Saturday morning after a structural collapse. (Photo Courtesy KOMU.com)
COLUMBIA, Mo. - UPDATE 1:45 p.m. | Authorities have identified the firefighter as Lieutenant Bruce Britt.
Fire officials say Britt died while he was helping to evacuate students from the building.
UPDATE 11:50 a.m. | The University of Missouri says a Columbia, Mo. Firefighter was killed Saturday morning responding to the apartment building collapse.
"We are grateful that, due to the efforts of this firefighter and others, no residents were injured," Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin said in the statement. "My deepest gratitude goes out to everyone who assisted during this emergency."
EARLIER | Students living in a University of Missouri apartment building woke up early Saturday morning to sounds of a collapsing roof and falling walkway.
In an alert to students at 6 a.m. Saturday, university officials reported a structural emergency at University Village, a residential building on the campus.
KOMU-TV reports that while students were inside the building at the time of the incident, no injuries were reported.
Just before 8 a.m., Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin released a statement saying that impacted students were being moved to alternate locations.
The cause of the collapse wasn’t immediately clear, but Loftin said in the statement that the university would launch a thorough inspection of all buildings within the University Village Apartment complex.
Feb 22, 2014
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/local/Building-collapses-in-Murray-2...
Building collapses in Murray
Story Created: Sat Feb 22, 2014 11:52 PM
Story Updated: Sun Feb 23, 2014 1:11 AM
Update: It was an old, historic building on 4th and Main Street.
Sergeant Scott Svebakken with the Murray Police Department tells Local 6 that cleanup will continue tomorrow so people are still being asked to avoid the area this weekend if possible.
Earlier Story:
Murray, Ky. - Calloway County Sheriff Bill Marcum is asking everyone to avoid the Court Square in downtown Murray due to a building collapse.
The cause is unknown at this time but Local 6 has been told that no one has been injured.
Feb 23, 2014