Hanoi Levels Homes, Arrests 7 Officials in Building Scandal
A two-year construction boom has collapsed into one of Hanoi’s biggest scandals, and the government has sent wrecking crews to reduce a wealthy suburb to a wasteland of rubble.
Police have arrested seven officials for allowing dozens of buildings to be constructed on an earthen dike that protects the capital from Red River floods. The activity put at risk 10 million people in the river delta, and now the buildings are being removed. More arrests are expected.
The 46-foot-wide dike has kept the Red River from flooding Hanoi on many occasions. A 1989 law bans construction on the dike or within 16 feet of its base.
But some residents obtained permits from officials now charged with breaking the law by issuing them. Others never got permits. Authorities fined some while their houses were going up but did not order a stop to construction.
The Water Works Ministry discovered 40 cracks in the dike early this year. Experts said they were caused by builders driving pilings and digging wells and septic tanks.
Investigators counted more than 1,100 illegal buildings. Wrecking crews have begun flattening 85, and portions of 194 others will be taken down.
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