CAIRO: Another seven-meter wide section collapsed in the Bab El-Shaaria section of Geish Street Sunday, adjacent to the sinkhole caused by work on the new underground metro line last week.
The three-meter deep hole almost caused a nearby mosque to collapse and shook several buildings. Authorities immediately ordered the evacuation of the building behind the mosque, bringing the total number of evacuated buildings to 10, including 25 shops.
Engineers on the site refused to comment on the incident.
Mostafa Zahran, an official at Bab El- Shaaria local council, told Daily News Egypt that the evacuated families are being hosted in an army-owned club house.
Last Thursday a 10-meter wide section of Geish Street in Bab El-Shaaria collapsed due to work on the new underground metro line in the area. No injuries were reported, but two parked cars fell into the 15-meter deep pit at the time of collapse. Five other cars were rescued before falling in, the Middle East News Agency reported.
The sinkhole is now filled with concrete. Small holes in the surrounding area also started to appear, suspending the construction of the new underground metro line for at least a month.
“Surely this would cause a delay until they fix the problem and wrap up their researches and reports, Zahran said, denying reports that the metro line might be rerouted as a result.
The underground tunneling drill of the third metro line had cut through weaker soil and burst through the neighborhood’s main water line, which was eventually sealed.
Bab El-Shaaria district is considered one of Cairo’s oldest neighborhoods, dating back to the Fatimid era. With more than 65,000 residents in the 1.84 km2 area, the overpopulation has taken its toll on its infrastructure.
Fears of a disaster akin to that of Duweiqa last year – where a massive rockslide flattened the shantytown – mount among the residents.
“We were frightened when [the street collapsed], fears of further collapses or evacuations started to spread among residents in the area, Mohamed Farag, a shop owner nearby said.
