In a video that has since been removed in the Facebook group ‘Je bent Scha Medicines’, a resident of the city complains about the demolition of supermarket Albert Heijn in the Makado shopping center. Yesterday the last part of the supermarket came down, and the man said he was hit by flying debris.
The last part of the supermarket is still standing as the demolition workers appear to be cautiously trying to proceed. But then the building collapses in its entirety and the dust and debris flies around. In the now-deleted video, the man who filmed says he was hit by it.
In a video made from the other side, it is easy to see with what a blow the supermarket collapsed. The people there are covered in dust. Judging by the reactions, everyone thinks this was not the intention. “It was really a mega hit”, says the filmmaker. “My father and I were having dinner when that happened. I had been telling my father all along that he was going to collapse completely, so I started filming.”
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Nevertheless, according to manager Jourik Pos of the Makado shopping center, it went exactly according to plan. “A small part of the store was still standing, which included the stock room and the offices. We lowered it in a controlled manner and it didn’t ‘happen’ to us as people think.” There are fences around the construction site and, according to Pos, they were at a safe distance. He has not heard of people who are said to have been hit by debris. “If people have been hit, I hope they are doing well and report to us.”
It is not known whether the man from the now deleted video will contact Makado.
The dust cloud moved through the center after the collapse. It was claimed on social media that the demolition company did not spray with water to prevent a lot of dust from being released, but that is not true, according to Pos. “Even now they do it, because cleaning up also releases dust.”
Renovation
The supermarket was completely demolished in a few days this week. A new business is coming back for it – furnishing will start in October, it should be open just before Christmas.
In any case, until the summer of 2023, the Makado Center will continue to be built and renovated. For example, after the opening of the Albert Heijn, the construction of a new market hall will start.