TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Excavation at a construction site in a residential area in New Taipei’s Sanchong caused a 40-year-old multistory apartment building to tilt and eventually collapse on Monday night.

Early in the morning, one resident noticed floor tiles cracking and the building beginning to tilt. The New Taipei Fire Department dispatched staff to evacuate 22 residents from nine households in the adjacent apartment building, per CNA.

New Taipei Deputy Mayor Chu Ti-chih (朱惕之) said efforts to stabilize the excavation site with water, dirt, and cement proved little help. The building leaned at a dangerous angle until partially collapsing in the evening.

Affected residents became emotional after being forced from their homes with no chance to collect valuable possessions. The New Taipei Public Works Bureau assisted with the building's demolition. 

Municipal authorities said the Liuzhang Street construction site had damaged the neighborhood. The project developer and contractor were each subject to immediate fines of  NT$90,000 (US$2,700), and the project was suspended per the Building Act.