Investigations into accident at Chisinau building site are continuing

Investigations into an accident involving collapsed foundation columns at a Chisinau building site on 38 Drumul Viilor Street are continuing. Deputy Mayor Mihai Furtuna told a City Hall meeting on Monday, January 28, that the final results of the investigations will be made public on January 31. Until then, experts will have to find out whether this collapse could have been prevented by the constructor and whether engineering or any other types of violations have been committed. Preliminary investigations ascribed the collapse to loose soil near the building site in question, especially as it was eroded by underground water and melting snow, Furtuna said. Although on the day of the accident, 23 January, a neighbouring five-storey apartment block was evacuated, experts of the Agency for Construction and Territorial Development, as well as city experts, concluded that the block suffered no damage, and its residents were assured they are out of danger. On Wednesday, 23 January, about midnight, the residents of the apartment block no.40 on Drumul Viilor Street felt two strong quakes and informed the authorities. Investigations showed the quakes were caused by the crumbling of a number of protection pillars erected in a foundation pit situated near the block no.40. 167 persons were asked to leave their apartments until the site is secure, and lodged in a kindergarten and a school.