Only two of eight buildings evacuated due to sinkhole cleared for residents' return

After the opening of a sinkhole near construction work for Barcelona metro Line 9, some residents who were evacuated will be able to return home. 

However, of the eight buildings evacuated, only two are stable enough to allow residents to return home on Monday, July 20. 

After the sinkhole opened, residents of 93 apartments in the Putxet neighbourhood were evacuated. 

Residents of the other six buildings have to wait for more checks to be carried out before returning home.

These necessary checks will be done to ensure the return home is safe for the residents. The process will be "gradual," according to the Catalan government's Barcelona delegate, Pilar Díaz. 

Catalonia's director general of mobility infrastructure, Ramon Ramírez, explained the work of injecting cement into the sinkhole is continuing. 

He warned that the process could take weeks, but "certainly not months."

Díaz stressed that people's safety is the "maximum" priority during the return process. 

The government plans to approve financial assistance for business owners and residents affected by the evacuation. 

Through the Catalan Institute of Finance, an emergency funding line will be set up to cover expenses such as salaries and rent for businesses. 

Work is underway to fund expenses arising from the evacuation for residents, while, where necessary, hotel accommodation will continue to be paid by the government for residents who are not able to return home.