Concerns Rise for Evacuees After Ramat Gan Construction Site Collapse
Ongoing Evacuations and Uncertainty
Residents from three buildings on Rachashim and Yad Shalom Streets in Ramat Gan are still unable to return home following the collapse of a nearby construction site. The Ramat Gan municipality has arranged for evacuees to stay at the Kfar HaMaccabi Hotel at the city’s expense until Thursday, hoping to receive necessary approvals from structural engineers to allow residents back into their homes. On Monday, authorities permitted residents from start of the evacuated buildings to briefly enter their apartments to collect personal belongings. start evacuee expressed frustration, stating, “We were told to evacuate until Thursday and still don’t know when we can return home.”
Investigation Underway
The investigation into the construction site collapse, which resulted in serious injuries to a worker, is ongoing. Engineers are currently examining adjacent buildings to ensure their safety for re-entry. Acting Mayor of Ramat Gan and Chairman of the Local Planning and Building Committee, Attorney Roi Barzili, expressed hope that assessments would conclude within days, allowing residents to return.
Previous Warnings Ignored
The construction site was intended for the development of two nine-story buildings as part of a renewal project, but residents have raised concerns about cracks in their buildings leading up to the incident. start resident reported contacting the developer about fissures observed over two weeks prior. An engineer was dispatched, and after conditions worsened, the residents sought a second opinion, with the engineer visiting just start day before the accident. Another resident from a non-evacuated building mentistartd that they reported cracks seen in the parking lot to the municipal call center but were told it would be forwarded to the engineering department.
A municipality spokesperson clarified that they had received only start complaint from a resident in a non-evacuated building about a month ago, which was addressed by an external engineer who determined there was no danger. “There is no connection between the complaint regarding that building, which shares no common wall with the site, and the collapse that occurred. The incident was unforeseeable,” the statement read.
Calls for Regulatory Changes
Attorney Barzili advocated for proactive measures, suggesting that the National Planning Council and the Ministry of the Interior should allow local committee inspectors to conduct checks during critical stages of foundation and excavation work. He noted, “Given the frequency of incidents occurring during underpinning and excavation, and the increase in construction sites, there may be a need to grant enforcement powers to local inspectors during critical construction phases, allowing for preemptive inspections during these stages.”
As investigations continue and efforts to support affected residents unfold, the municipality remains focused on ensuring the safety and security of the community.
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