Overview
- The damage was discovered Wednesday morning when pedestrians and building users reported that sidewalk plates had sagged and a vertical crack appeared in a former bank building.
- Fire brigade and police immediately cordoned the area, evacuated parts of the building including a physiotherapy practice, and closed access to the underground garage to protect people.
- City authorities later issued an Entwarnung saying there is no acute collapse danger and lifted the emergency cordons after an initial structural inspection.
- Technisches Hilfswerk and the municipal utilities are investigating whether a water pipe failure or subsurface washout linked to an old underpass and shaft system undermined the ground.
- The building control office will contact the owner and an independent Gutachter will review the site to decide what repairs or use restrictions are needed, which could affect tenants and garage access while work continues.