The People's Committee of District 1's Pham Ngu Lao Ward, which holds jurisdiction over the apartment block, has managed to relocate 42 among 48 residential households to more secure places.

The Committee also ordered police, inspectors and militia to maintain security at the scene and has tried to persuade the remaining holdovers to move, warning that any non-abiders would have to accept full responsibility for any further incidents that may occur.

The land sink was caused by a building construction on Cong Quynh Street, which is situated perpendicular to Bui Vien Street, triggering cracks and clefts around the foundation of the aforementioned apartment, investigators said.

Hoang Mai Real Estate Company, the construction's investor, has incurred all restoration costs thus far.

The collateral damage, at present, is the only case that has prompted official action among three similar construction incidents happening in the city last week, including instances in Phu Nhuan District Thursday and Binh Thanh District Saturday.

All the above occurrences precipitated cracks and clefts in buildings located in the surrounding area.

April 1, 2008