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Dortmund’s ‘Hannibal’ Tower Evacuation Case Returns to Court After Years of Dispute

Six years after a rushed evacuation, residents await justice as the court weighs conflicting fire safety reports. Was the panic over the ‘Hannibal’ tower truly necessary?

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1 min read
This is a black and white image. In the foreground of the picture there are lot of people standing...
This is a black and white image. In the foreground of the picture there are lot of people standing in a building. On the right there is a window. At the top it is roof. On the left there is staircase. In the center there is railing. On the left there is a person, a pipe and a window.

Court Continues Hearing on Expedited Eviction of Hannibal Building - Dortmund’s ‘Hannibal’ Tower Evacuation Case Returns to Court After Years of Dispute

In 2017, the sudden evacuation of the 'Hannibal' building in Dortmund made headlines across Germany. Residents were temporarily displaced due to alleged serious fire safety deficiencies. The case has since been debated in the Higher Administrative Court (OVG), with a hearing set to resume next week.

The controversy began in September 2017 when all residents were forced to evacuate the high-rise. The court-appointed expert's assessment raised questions about evacuation time, hazards from waste in the underground garage, and potential smoke buildup. The 'Hannibal' clearance occurred just months after the Grenfell Tower fire in London, which highlighted fire safety concerns in high-rise buildings.

The former owner insists that fire safety issues could have been addressed step by step, making the rushed evacuation and usage ban unnecessary. The OVG in Münster will resume the hearing next week, with the leader of Dortmund's fire department set to provide further details. The hearing was previously adjourned and is expected to deliver its verdict on the same day. An expert appointed by the OVG contradicted the city's claims, finding no justification for the hasty evacuation and ruling out any direct threat to residents' lives or safety.

The controversial evacuation of the 'Hannibal' tower in Dortmund will see the hearing resume next week. The court's verdict is expected on the same day, potentially bringing closure to the residents who were displaced in 2017.

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