Apt Orders Evacuation of Additional Buildings Amidst Structural Concerns
APT, FRANCE – The municipality of Apt has ordered the immediate evacuation of several buildings after an expert assessment revealed a “fragility” and “imminent peril” to structures within the city, mirroring concerns that prompted earlier evacuations in 2022. Residents have until 4:00 PM on Thursday, November 6th, to vacate their homes.
This new order follows the installation of monitoring sensors on multiple buildings two years ago, initiated after residents were previously evacuated from a building in November 2022.The sensors track structural movement in real-time, and the recent expert report has triggered a swift response from city officials. The situation underscores growing anxieties about building safety in Apt and raises questions about the long-term stability of the area’s housing stock.
according to a statement released by the municipality, the report “confirms the existence of an imminent peril and, by result, real and serious risks to the safety of people and property.” Mayor Véronique Arnaud-Deloy acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, stating, “It is absolutely heartbreaking to have to make a decision with such heavy consequences.I expect it to provoke dismay, confusion, even anger. However, it is humanly impossible for me to allow any risk to the inhabitants of the city.”
Arnaud-Deloy assured residents that “no one will be left without a housing solution,” despite the city not owning the affected buildings. The evacuation order impacts an as-yet-unspecified number of residents and marks a notable escalation in the ongoing building safety crisis within apt. Further updates will be provided as the situation develops.
