LONDON - Hundreds of residents were evacuated from three east London apartment blocks in Canning Town on Saturday morning due to serious structural issues that pose a risk to life, authorities and residents said.
The evacuation affected Centurion Tower, Sovereign Tower and St Vincent Court, which are part of the Royal Gateway development built by British housebuilder Galliard in 2018. Residents were ordered to leave their homes around 2am after a letter sent to residents warned that structural issues in the buildings could result in a collapse.
Prime Property Management, which manages the development, confirmed the risk was linked to cracks and sagging in transfer slabs beneath the three blocks. Transfer slabs are structural elements that help hold the weight of columns and walls above.
The structural problems are similar to those that forced an evacuation at the Stratford Halo estate in east London last Christmas, Prime said.
Newham Council said it had set up a rest centre and provided emergency accommodation on the night of the evacuation. The council urged residents to make contact with Prime Property Management for additional support regarding longer-term alternative accommodation.
Prime Property Management said: "We recognise the enormity of asking anyone to leave their home. These are not decisions we have made lightly, but they have been made because safety is our immediate priority." The company added that its priority was ensuring the safety of residents and enabling them to return to their homes as quickly as possible when it is safe to do so.
Residents described the situation as life-threatening and heartbreaking. Ashwin Wilson, 44, who has been renting a one-bedroom flat in Sovereign Tower, said Newham Council could offer only a mattress on the floor in a local community centre for one night. Matt Finch, 38, who bought a new-build flat for £335,000, said he was woken by police knocking on his door in the early hours.
The evacuation leaves hundreds of renters and homeowners uncertain about when - or whether - they will be able to return to their homes. Many are facing urgent decisions about short-term accommodation and financial concerns amid the disruption.
