Police operation in Sydney’s Olympic Park after ‘cracking’ heard in apartment tower | Australia news
Emergency services are helping residents evacuate a 30-storey high-rise building in Sydney amid fears the structure could collapse.
Emergency services were called to the Olympic Park building on Monday afternoon following reports residents of the Opal Tower building heard “cracking” sounds throughout the morning, New South Wales police say.
A number of residents have left and emergency services are helping more people leave.
Residents from nearby properties have also been told to leave or are not being allowed back to their homes. Instead, they are being redirected to a police command post.
There are numerous exclusion zones around the structure as authorities work to establish if the building is safe.
7 News Sydney
(@7NewsSydney)Sydney Olympic Park: People evacuated from Opal Tower on Australia Avenue. Firefighters say a crack has appeared in the high rise apartment block. Specialist rescue trucks with building movement sensors on them are now on the scene and more emergency resources are on the way. pic.twitter.com/78IlQ4Wqdd
December 24, 2018
Aerial footage by Seven Network shows fire crews setting up tents while police redirect traffic and pedestrians.
The website for the Opal Tower says the building has 392 apartments, commercial spaces, a childcare centre and community centre.
It cost $165 million to build.
Trains have been stopped as a result of the operation, the Transport Management Centre confirmed on Monday.
Australia Avenue has also been closed in both directions.
Fire and Rescue NSW is on the scene with specialist equipment designed to monitor the building for further movement.
