An apartment complex in Barbados collapsed into a cave early

[malaise]

this morning. Two complete apartments fell forty feet, one with a family of five. Looks like construction digging in the area during last week undermined an area that has always been stable. A squad of geological experts from across the Caribbean arrived earlier in the day and experts from the Miami Dade police should have arrived an hour ago with equipment. Even cars fell in the hole in this upper income neighbourhood. All residents from around the area have been moved to shelters.

Some residents said they heard rumbling from about 2.00am this morning but the disaster didn't occur until 4.30am. Makes you wonder why they didn't evacuate that complex earlier.

[dipsydoodle]

1. Whoops

I hope there were no permanent serious injuries. I believe that similar situations occur in our county of Kent due to coal mining years ago.

[malaise]

2. Well hopefuly that missing family of five is still alive

in the cave. A mum, dad, seven year old, three year old and one year old.
We're all hoping.

There's no coal mining in Barbados.

[JohnyCanuck]

3. Here's a local blogg "Barbadosfreepress" that's posting on this story

http://barbadosfreepress.wordpress.com/2007/08/26/brittons-hill-barbados-building-collapse/#comments

I imagine the rescue workers from Miami will have experience in this type of work as I believe Florida is prone to having sink holes unexpectedly open up underneath buildings from time to time. According to reports from bystanders after the initial collapse there were cries for help heard from the wreckage of the building in the cave but they gradually faded out after a few hours.

[malaise]

4. Interesting

That site is pure 'Bajan' opposition politics but the geological posts and photos are interesting.

Good to see that one child spend the night with grandparents.
Add.

[JohnyCanuck]

5. Here's a picture of the cave in and the victims.

This picture was in the Barbados Nation News today ( www.nationnews.com )



The rubble in the foreground is where the family would be trapped

[malaise]

6. Damn this is sad

The dogs that came in from Miami haven't found signs of life so far.
You can listen to updates on CBC radio in Barbados.