Asbestos discovery delays demolition of Zagreb’s Vjesnik tower

The demolition of the Vjesnik tower in Zagreb has hit another obstacle after asbestos was discovered in the fire-damaged building.

The planned dismantling of the 16-storey tower, which was gutted by a fire last fall, has been complicated by the presence of the hazardous material on one of its upper floors. Work on the 16th floor has been halted and will remain off limits until the asbestos is removed.

The building had originally been scheduled to be dismantled by May 19, with the adjacent underpass on Slavonska Avenue expected to reopen ten days later. Those deadlines have now been pushed back, although officials have not said by how long.

Speaking at a press conference near the Vjesnik building, State Secretary at the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Property Tonči Glavinić said the skyscraper is currently being cleared of waste before demolition continues.

“The presence of asbestos has been confirmed on the 16th floor. Experts overseeing the project have ordered all work on that floor to stop, and entry is forbidden,” Glavinić said.

He added that the 15th floor has also been closed and designated as a buffer zone, meaning work can currently proceed only up to the 14th floor until the contractor removes the hazardous material.

Glavinić said he could not specify the exact quantity of asbestos in the building but noted that at least 24 pillars are believed to contain the carcinogenic material. He added that the contractor already has experience handling asbestos removal.

“The subcontractor has a company that will remove and dispose of the asbestos safely and in accordance with regulations,” he said.