Heerhugowaard shopping center partially evacuated over cracks in the ground

The Middenwaard shopping center in Heerhugowaard was partially evacuated and cordoned off on Wednesday after an employee discovered cracks in the floor of the Dekamarkt supermarket. There are also cracks in the ceiling of the parking garage under the building, the police and fire brigade confirmed to NH Nieuws. According to ANP, some ceiling panels fell down in the parking garage.

The police cordoned off the shopping center entrance on Zuidtangent. The involved parking garage, officially called P5 but known as the Dekamarkt parking, has been closed off with red and white crime scene tape. No one is allowed in. Construction specialists are on site to check if there is a risk of collapse.

“A supermarket employee inside noticed that there was something different in the tiles,” the fire brigade told NH. When they checked the parking garage below, they saw cracks in the ceiling and alerted the authorities.

Middenwaard ontruimd wegens scheuren in dak en vloer [FOTO’S] - https://t.co/ptHbDDonMd pic.twitter.com/sgNqyThxq2

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The Dekamarkt, Action, Bruna, and Intertoys are not accessible due to the cordoned-off area. The emergency workers evacuated the staff and customers. No injuries were reported.