A recent building collapse in Paulista, Pernambuco state, has drawn attention to the significant number of structurally unsound buildings in Greater Recife.
These buildings, commonly referred to as “coffin” buildings due to their unsupported wall structure, became prevalent in the 1970s and have been prone to collapse in recent years.
A 2007-2008 study by the Pernambuco Institute of Technology (Itep) reported that 133 buildings in Recife have a very high risk of collapse.
The Paulista building, a part of Conjunto Beira-Mar and home to 15 apartments, had been condemned for over a decade.
The disaster resulted in 14 fatalities, with several more injured, and caused damage to adjacent buildings.
Despite the risks, many of these buildings have been reoccupied by homeless groups due to lack of alternative shelter.
There are approximately 5,300 “coffin” buildings in the region, with about 1,000 classified as having a “high” risk and 260 as having a “very high” risk of collapse, according to an Itep survey.
These structures lack foundational support like beams and pillars and often sit on unstable ground, further increasing their risk.
The responsibility for resolving this structural risk issue, including relocating at-risk residents, falls to the local and state authorities.
Unfortunately, many residents prefer the risk of these unsound buildings to homelessness, further complicating the issue.
It is now crucial that decisive steps are taken to ensure the safety and well-being of these inhabitants.