SYDNEY - Thousands of people living near Sydney’s Olympic Park are facing an uncertain Christmas Eve after residents of a newly opened apartment building reported unsettling noises, generating fears of a possible collapse and prompting evacuations Monday. Emergency responders were called to the Opal Tower on the city’s west side across the street from the site of the 2000 Sydney Olympics after residents reported hearing “cracking noises” during the morning, New South Wales Police said in a statement.
A resident of the Opal Tower told the Nine News network he heard a “big bang” as if something in the building had “snapped.”
Another resident told ABC News there were cracks on the building’s 12th and 13th floors.
“I’m concerned, of course,” he said. “A few days ago the doors looked different, like they couldn’t close properly. And you do feel (movement) sometimes when there’s strong wind.”
Firefighters and engineers were expected to enter complex late Monday to examine what caused the reported cracks on its 10th floor and to determine whether the building is in danger of collapse.
“It’s not going to be done in minutes. Hopefully, it won’t take longer than hours,” Fire and Rescue Acting Inspector Greg Wright told reporters. (Fox News)