France’s triple tower demolition

On 9 March 1995, demolition specialist Cardem carried out the explosive demolition of three 12-storey tower blocks, comprising 344 apartments, in the Grandes Bornes district of Goussainville in northern France, around 20 km (12 miles) from Paris.

Small explosive charges were placed under each of the tower blocks to weaken the concrete structures and to ensure they fell in the required direction. French authorities started rehousing the inhabitants of the 30-year-old flats in 1987, and the buildings were empty from 1989 until their demolition. 

Copyright: REUTERS
Story Copyright: Thomson Reuters

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