Villagers climb ladders to reach homes

The final remains of an apartment building where residents use ladders to enter their homes stands in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on January 3. The building was partially demolished in a municipal road-widening project. Photo: Beijing Times

Residents of a building which was half-demolished in a road expansion project in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region are continuing to live in the structure and use ladders to reach the upper floors.

Demolition crews had cut the once 20-meter-wide building down to under 7 meters, exposing hallways and destroying staircases. Now residents, including an elderly couple, climb ladders to enter their apartments after over half the building was ripped down.

The five-story building is but one of many along Changgang Road in Changgang village that was partially demolished during a recent road widening project.

Despite receiving compensation from the city government, many remain in the buildings.

According to a Xingning district demolition department spokesman, only parts of the structures were demolished after the expansion of Changgang Road. What remains were left to residents, who have received compensation and signed documents stating they choose to live on the property at their own risk.

"We have informed them of the danger, but they still refuse to move," said the unnamed spokesman, who added the city plans to intensify their efforts to move the residents.