Residents of a 104-year-old Bergen apartment building, located just behind the city’s historic Bryggen complex on the waterfront, remained under evacuation orders on Thursday, after the building sagged and developed large cracks in its foundation.
Geologists feared the entire building would collapse, and eight residents were evacuated from the building’s four apartments. Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) reported that 11 others were evacuated from neighboring properties.
It was unclear when they would be able to return. A city official said 12 went to stay with family or friends, while seven were sent to area hotels.
“It was scary, when both the fire department and police said that everyone had to get out,” one of the evacuees, Roy Dybing, told NRK.
He lives in Wesenbergsmauet 3C, a neighbouring property to the suddenly sagging Koren Wibergs plass 8.
Building experts were called in to inspect the building on Thursday, after firefighters reportedly heard cracking noises when they arrived on the scene Wednesday night.
The building was constructed in 1896 and is located in the fashionable and historic area behind Bergen’s most famous landmark.
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