Authorities are investigating the case of the 8-story mini-apartment building that needs "crutches" to stand up.

As previously reported, the mini-apartment building at 22B Alley 236 Khuong Dinh, Ha Dinh Ward, Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi, which has been in use since 2017, has deteriorated. The first floor is used for parking, and the upper floors, which have elevators and staircases, have unexpectedly developed numerous cracks and fissures, requiring reinforcement with iron scaffolding around the base of the building's columns. To date, all residents have been relocated.

Regarding the incident showing signs of unsafe conditions, the Hanoi People's Committee has issued a document instructing the Thanh Xuan District People's Committee to cease the use of this mini-apartment building; and at the same time, to cordon off the dangerous area and relocate people and property to ensure safety.

Accordingly, Thanh Xuan district is responsible for assisting in arranging temporary accommodation and ensuring stable living conditions for households during the relocation period. During site management, relevant units must monitor and observe to detect, warn, and promptly address any adverse situations that could jeopardize the safety of the structure and neighboring buildings.

The Hanoi People's Committee also instructed Thanh Xuan district to review the survey, design, licensing, and construction records of the mini-apartment building at 22 Alley 236/17 Khuong Dinh. Furthermore, it requested Thanh Xuan district to clearly determine the cause of the incident and hold accountable the organizations and individuals involved in this mini-apartment building.

Hanoi City also requested the Department of Construction to conduct a citywide review of multi-story, multi-apartment housing projects. This review aims to thoroughly assess and analyze the legal status, land management, and construction investment aspects, definitively address violations of construction regulations, and recommend that competent authorities handle violations related to fire safety.

Event - Hanoi: Holding accountable those responsible for the 8-story mini-apartment building that needs — The scaffolding system provides support around the building's columns.

Mr. Nguyen Hong Phong, Head of the Management Board of the mini-apartment building at 22 Alley 236/17 Khuong Dinh, stated that the two central columns of the building are cracked and have lost their load-bearing capacity. In addition, four surrounding columns and load-bearing beams are also affected. Compared to the design, the load-bearing section of the building is missing a beam leading to the elevator. Furthermore, the cross-section of the supporting columns is smaller than specified in the design. The estimated cost of repairs could reach 4-5 billion VND. After assessment, the process of reinforcing the load-bearing section of the mini-apartment building will take several months to complete.

According to the Thanh Xuan District's online portal, this 8-story mini-apartment building, which is currently being "supported by crutches," was granted a construction permit in 2016. The permit indicated that the investor was allowed to build a 5-story building with a mezzanine and a rooftop. Therefore, compared to the permit, the investor has added 3 more floors to the building.

Since there was no second escape route, a steel escape system was constructed running along the outside of the 8th floor down to the 2nd floor.

Following this information, many residents of the mini-apartment building expressed their anger and questioned the responsibility of the investor for constructing the building incorrectly, affecting their rights and lives. Many residents argued that if the design and construction did not ensure structural integrity, the investor should bear full responsibility .

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