16 buildings almost demolished after rockfall

CAIRO - 4 February 2019: Eighty percent of the 16 evacuated slum buildings in the area surrounding Razaz rock in Cairo’s Mansheyet Naser neighborhood were demolished after 82 families had instantly received furnished apartments at Asmarat neighborhood.

In January, residents reported cracks in the mountain. While demolishing a building nearby, a rockfall occurred so municipal authorities made a decision to demolish 15 buildings in the area.

The purpose of demolishing the buildings is that they would not be inhabited again. The move inhibited a disaster similar to the Dowika rockfall accident that happened in 2008 resulting in 31 casualties and 47 injuries.

Al Asmarat is a housing project whose units are granted furnished and free of charge to the residents of slums. The first two phases are accomplished and occupied by citizens. Constructions in the third phase are underway.