Yesterday's rescue efforts at the site of the collapse of a building near the Bund in Shanghai focused on strengthening a temporary flood-wall with steel bars and fortifying the foundation of a 25-story office building.
It has been three days since a new Huangpu River metro tunnel under construction caved in, causing the collapse of the building and a section of a flood-prevention wall.
Premier Wen Jiabao phoned city leaders on Thursday night, calling on them to "ensure the people's life and property, as well as the safety of the city in the flood season."
Wang Guangtao, head of the Ministry of Construction, arrived at the site yesterday afternoon, along with a group of construction experts.
Wang approved the city government's rescue efforts. He said the local government's reaction and measures were timely and efficient.
The cave-in occurred on Tuesday at the construction site of an emergency passage between two underwater tubes of the new subway line, RT No 4. Sand and water poured in, leading to massive surface subsidence.
In a chain reaction, one building collapsed and five others titled. No one was injured in the accident.
"Protecting Linjiang Huayuan Building is one of the priorities," said a researcher of Shanghai Tunnel Engineering & Rail Transit Design and Research Institute - designer of the subway.
The 25-story tower is the office of the Shanghai Labor and Social Security Bureau.
Also high on the priority list is the fortifying of the floodwall and pulling down two seriously tilting buildings.
Two sandbag walls were set up on Wednesday and Thursday. Steel bars were used for the fortification.
Traffic restrictions in the area has caused congestion, which affected the nearby Bund area and elevated highway system, according to Shanghai General Team of Traffic and Patrol Police.
A total of 12 buses routes were changed or shortened, but the Dongjiadu Ferry was operating as normal.
Meanwhile, a citywide check on construction safety will be launched. At least 200 major urban construction projects will be checked between July 15 and July 30, said Shanghai Construction Management Commission, emphasizing that checks will include the construction design, safety management system and quality.
Tunnel construction is among the main targets.
(eastday.com July 5, 2003)
