Обрушение Highland Towers в Малайзии (1993)

1993 apartment building collapse in Malaysia

The Highland Towers collapse occurred on 11 December 1993 in Taman Hillview, Ulu Klang, Selangor, Malaysia. Tower Block 1 collapsed from a major landslide caused by heavy rains that burst diversion pipes. The Highland Towers consisted of three 12 storey buildings or "blocks". The collapse of Block 1 resulted in 48 deaths. Residents of the other two blocks and neighbouring establishments were evacuated due to safety concerns. The Highland Towers complex was built in phases between 1974 and 1982. It was constructed at the western base of a steeply sloped hill, terraced extensively in the early 1980s. Block 1 was the southernmost building, Block 2 was built north northwest of Block 1, and Block 3 was built west of Block 2. The towers were home to affluent middle class families; a sizeable percentage of the residents were expatriates.

In 1991, the construction of the Bukit Antarabangsa Development Project began on the hilltop behind Highland Towers. Due to the clearing of trees and land covering plants on the hill, the soil became susceptible to land erosion. Soil erosion and landslides led to the eventual destabilisation of Block 1's foundation. It started before the construction of Highland Towers when water was diverted from a local stream called East Creek to bypass the building site. However, the piping was not strong enough to contain the extra water, mineral debris, sand, and silt from both the creek and the building site. The pipe burst at several locations, which resulted in Block 1 absorbing the excess water. In December 1993, the area experienced a prolonged period of heavy rainfall, which caused the soil to become muddy, and shortly after, water was observed flowing down the slope of the hill. After a prolonged period of heavy rainfall, a landslide began, which destroyed the retaining wall behind the first block's car park. An estimated 100,000 cubic metres of mud gradually pushed the foundation of Block 1 forward. The growing pressure fractured the foundations of Block 1. Some residents left the building when they saw cracks in the walls and the paving around the towers. Although signs of damage were apparent for several days, no remedies were implemented before the collapse.

Block 1 collapsed at 1:30 PM on 11 December 1993, burying the building's occupants under tons of debris. Two Indonesian people and one Japanese woman were the first three survivors rescued, though the woman died later due to internal bleeding sustained in the collapse. A student who lived near Highland Towers witnessed the collapse and reported it to the media. On 13 December, the 24 members of the Japanese Disaster Relief Team and French Sécurité, a French civil defence team, arrived at the disaster site to assist in rescue operations. According to Police Internal Security and Public Order director Datuk Ghazali Yaacob, rescuers became aware of survivors from the third and fourth floors after two trained German Shepherds detected them inside the building. On 2 June 2004, AmBank agreed to compensate 52 million RM to 139 residents of the Highland Towers complex. While some residents were happy with the compensation, Dr. Benjamin George, the chairperson of the Highland Towers Owners and Residents Committee, stated that the claims against the other parties involved were still ongoing. On 18 February 2006, the Federal Court ruled that the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council was not liable for the Highland Towers before, during, or after the incident. Additionally, the court ruled that the Council was protected by parliamentary immunity from claims regarding incidents before the collapse of the building.

As all residents evacuated both Block 2 and Block 3 due to safety concerns on 12 December 1993, the complex was abandoned and fell into urban decay. On 11 June 1994, six months after the collapse, the first memorial ceremony to remember the tragedy was held at the site. A memorial plaque was erected in honour of those who had died. On 11 December 2004, the eleventh anniversary of the tragedy, all former residents and victims of the Highland Towers gathered at the site as a final farewell. The gathering was also attended by Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali and former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's wife. On 11 December 2010, AETN's History Channel showed an hour long documentary of the tragedy that featured accounts from the victims, their families, and former residents of the Highland Towers. On 3 December 2013, it was reported that AmBank planned to sell Highland Towers and its nearby bungalow lots, though no reason was given as to the company's motive. When the land did not sell, AmBank tried selling it a second time on 5 January 2017. On 29 March 2016, the firefighter responsible for rescuing the two survivors reconnected with them on a TV9 televised interview in Bandar Utama. The abandoned remains of Block 2 and Block 3 were restricted from public access, and the area has decayed from both vandalism and exposure to the elements. Nearby residents reported that the remaining buildings became a haven for criminals, drug addicts, and Mat Rempits who used them as temporary shelters. On 12 April 2016, police fatally shot three criminals near the buildings. While attempts were made to cordon off the compound, no perimeter fencing was installed, and the gate was eventually tampered with to allow access. Prolonged use of the site as a criminal hideout caused residents of Taman Hillview and the neighbouring Taman Sri Ukay to call for the demolition of the surviving towers. The Ministry of Housing and Local Government, who suggested that the buildings be demolished and houses dedicated for the B40 group being built in their place, made an initial proposal on 28 June 2018. Former residents of the Highland Towers, who hoped to convert the area into a park instead, opposed the proposal. The land was later found to be unsuitable for housing and any buildings because of the collapse. As a result, the proposal was changed on 19 August 2018 to create a recreational park instead. However, the demolition was delayed on 11 December 2018 pending an analysis of the structural integrity of the buildings. After lengthy delays, the Highland Towers were scheduled to be demolished by June 2019, though they remain standing as of 2021. On 6 April 2021, demolition plans were once again announced.

Because of the multiple deaths in the area, some local residents have alleged that the area is haunted. The assertions have attracted paranormal enthusiasts to the ruins attempting to capture paranormal activity. Others have visited the site to pray for success in the lottery. In 2015, a YouTuber visited the area to investigate; their team found no evidence that the area was haunted. Other local residents deny claims of paranormal activity and attribute assertions of such activity to hallucinations.