On Monday, a specialised Czech construction firm began demolishing the upper floors of the apartment block in Prešov that was devastated by a gas explosion followed by fire on December 6. The process is being carried out using a special machine with a 68-metre arm. "Given the demanding nature of the demolition work and the fact that the building has been seriously damaged by the explosion and fire, we're unable to estimate how long the demolition work will take," said Prešov city authority spokesperson Vladimír Tomek.
Emergency teams and employees of power and gas utilities are on standby, ready to take action if necessary. The police have forbidden people from climbing onto the roofs of any buildings in the city in order to observe, document, take pictures of or film the demolition work. Gas exploded in one of the flats in the 12-storey apartment building. The accident claimed seven lives, while one person is still missing.
