Kiwi tourist Narissa Knight stranded in bikini in Opal Tower emergency
Kiwi Narissa Knight was left stranded in her bikini outside a high-rise Sydney apartment block that authorities feared might collapse on Christmas Eve. The tourist was one of thousands caught up in the Opal Towers evacuation at Olympic Park.
Kiwi tourist Narissa Knight was left stranded in her bikini outside a high-rise Sydney apartment block that authorities feared might collapse on Christmas Eve.
The 20-year-old New Zealander had been swimming in the pool at a neighbouring building to Opal Towers with her family when sirens started blaring and they were evacuated.
“We couldn’t get anything, I was there in my bikini and no shoes on, nothing,” she told The Daily Telegraph.
The pair joined some 300 people who were forced to evacuate to a makeshift emergency camp after people heard loud cracking noises in the building.
The majority of residents have now returned home but a third of those who fled from 150 apartments at Opal Towers and endured a sleepless night will have to spend Christmas Day elsewhere after their homes were declared unsafe.
Scores of people fled to Sydney showground on Monday afternoon as the structure shifted up to two millimetres.
Ms Knight, her dad and her brother’s family had to go shopping for clothes and food before heading to the evacuation centre.
“I was walking through the mall and I’m like oh my god, I had my towel around me. It was so embarrassing,” Ms Knight said.
Police established a one-kilometre exclusion zone around the Brushbox Street skyscraper and two neighbouring buildings at Sydney Olympic Park.
“We had a Christmas Eve feast at KFC,” Narissa’s dad David said.
“We were probably luckier than some.”
Lanie Devera spent the night sleeping rough in her car with her 12-year-old daughter while their dog was trapped inside the Opal Towers.
“My dog was inside and we were worried because we’re outside and not allowed to get in,” Ms Devera said.
The trio returned to rescue Coco on Tuesday and Ms Devera said they’d stay at the building even though it was unsafe because it was Christmas.
“Of course it’s not safe but of course we have to stay,” she said.
“At least we’re together.”
NSW Police gave the majority of residents the all clear to go home at 12.30am on Tuesday.
“Meanwhile, 51 units have been declared structurally unsafe,” a police spokesperson said.
“Residents of these units have been escorted back to gather their belongings and have made their own arrangements for accommodation.”
Engineers brought in to examine a large crack on level 10 remain on scene to investigate the integrity of the failed internal support wall, Acting Assistant Commissioner Julie Boon said.
“It’s been a particularly frustrating time for residents and we’re very aware they are keen to go home the night before Christmas,” she said before the bulk of units were cleared.
“This is a large building and it’s critical the safety of the residents comes first.”
Laser monitors deployed by emergency services have detected no further movement from the building.
A large number of evacuees were able to find shelter for the night while the remaining residents slept rough at the Sydney showground and were offered welfare services to locate temporary housing until the building was deemed safe for re-entry.
55 children were also evacuated from a nearby childcare centre and released to their families.
Some residents also expressed concern for pets who were left inside but Det Insp Rogerson said the number one priority was human safety.
“In relation to pets, when we find them, they will be moved through the RSPCA to whoever we can locate tonight,” he said.
The Opal Tower building has 392 apartments, commercial spaces, a childcare centre and a community centre.
Construction on the $165 million, 117m, Opal Tower began in 2014 and finished in August this year.
It was built by Icon Construction and developed by Ecove Group.
”We are aware of the concerns that have arisen with the Opal Building,” a spokesman for Ecove told The Daily Telegraph on Monday.
“As a precaution the building has been temporarily evacuated whilst it is being assessed by the relevant authorities”.
The spokesman confirmed the builder has been notified and said more updates would be provided when they know more.
The BBL match between Sydney Thunder and the Sydney Sixers at Spotless Stadium went ahead as it was outside the “hot zone” while trains between Lidcombe and Olympic Park have been redirected to avoid the residential complex.
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