ID :
193260
Wed, 07/06/2011 - 13:41
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/193260
The shortlink copeid
Experts struggle to find cause of Seoul shopping mall shaking
SEOUL, July 6 (Yonhap) -- A public access ban remained in place on a shaky building in eastern Seoul on Wednesday as experts tried to find what led to the rocking of the high-rise shopping mall a day earlier.
Hundred of people evacuated the 39-story TechnoMart shopping mall in the Gwangjin District late Tuesday morning as the upper part of the building began rocking up and down for about 10 minutes for unknown reasons.
In order to find the reason for the swaying, the Gwangjin ward office issued a three-day evacuation order and has blocked public access since late Tuesday.
The rocking was not likely caused by an earthquake, as no signs of a quake were detected at the time of the incident, experts noted.
Ward officials were scheduled to release their findings on the possible cause of the incident later Wednesday. They will make a decision on whether the access ban will remain in effect.
"Through an investigation on the building's safety and possible defects, a decision will be made over whether it will be reopened," Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said. "About 20 experts are working closely to find the cause."
The three-day halt, meanwhile, is feared to incur as much as 9 billion won (US$8.5 million) in losses to about 12,000 retailers forced to suspend their business due to the evacuation order, said Prime Management, the building maintenance firm in charge of TechnoMart mall.
The skyscraper accommodates more than a thousand retailers selling electronics, houseware products and books, as well as a multiplex and a number of commercial offices.
Hundred of people evacuated the 39-story TechnoMart shopping mall in the Gwangjin District late Tuesday morning as the upper part of the building began rocking up and down for about 10 minutes for unknown reasons.
In order to find the reason for the swaying, the Gwangjin ward office issued a three-day evacuation order and has blocked public access since late Tuesday.
The rocking was not likely caused by an earthquake, as no signs of a quake were detected at the time of the incident, experts noted.
Ward officials were scheduled to release their findings on the possible cause of the incident later Wednesday. They will make a decision on whether the access ban will remain in effect.
"Through an investigation on the building's safety and possible defects, a decision will be made over whether it will be reopened," Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said. "About 20 experts are working closely to find the cause."
The three-day halt, meanwhile, is feared to incur as much as 9 billion won (US$8.5 million) in losses to about 12,000 retailers forced to suspend their business due to the evacuation order, said Prime Management, the building maintenance firm in charge of TechnoMart mall.
The skyscraper accommodates more than a thousand retailers selling electronics, houseware products and books, as well as a multiplex and a number of commercial offices.
