Residents living close to the Lycée Albert 1er school, formerly the Charles III school, in Monaco are facing a deeply unsettling Christmas, after the Prince’s Government warned that a deteriorating embankment could trigger an emergency evacuation at short notice…
Following our previous report that students will be remote-learning in January due to the issue, authorities have now announced concerns have widened to include nearby homes, as reported by Monaco Matin.
In a rare and stark move, letters were hand-delivered by plainclothes police officers on Tuesday evening to residents of the Le Point du Jour and Virginia Plaza buildings in the La Rousse district. Around 30 people were urged to prepare for the possibility of a rapid evacuation should monitoring data indicate an imminent risk of collapse.
The government confirmed that recent measurements show an acceleration in the deformation of the retaining wall behind the school building, prompting urgent reinforcement works that began on Friday. Tie rods are currently being driven deep into the rock in an attempt to stabilise ground movement that has been under surveillance for more than two decades. Independent experts are carrying out frequent geological checks, with initial results expected as early as December 26, and definitive findings by January 4.
In the meantime, residents have been instructed to prepare an emergency bag containing clothing for several days, essential documents, medication and toiletries. Hotel accommodation has already been reserved should evacuation become necessary.
While authorities insist the precautionary principle is being strictly applied, the warning has heightened anxiety in the neighbourhood, particularly following confirmation that students and staff housed in the former Charles III building will start the new term remotely. With officials acknowledging that a “critical threshold” could be reached, the coming days will be watched with intense concern by residents living in the shadow of the embankment.
