Gone in 10 seconds: Mina Plaza towers torn down in Abu Dhabi

The blast was heard across the capital as 144 floors were razed to the ground to make way for port regeneration

Four unfinished towers in Mina Zayed Plaza pictured just before the detonation at 8am on Friday. All photos by Victor Besa / The National

Hundreds of explosive charges are detonated inside the structures

The buildings collapse in a controlled operation sending debris into a cordoned off port area

Work on the towers began in 2007 but stalled in the 2009 financial crisis and have stood empty for the past decade

The three smaller towers topple followed by the taller fourth

In total 144 floors between the four towers were brought down

Dust and debris cascades into the surrounding streets, which were cleared by police on Thursday

Regeneration work is set to begin almost immediately to transform the area into a bustling shopping and entertainment district

Nov 27, 2020

Mina Plaza demolition: ground view:

Mina Zayed Plaza demolition Friday morning, Abu Dhabi. All photos by Charlotte Mayhew / The National

Mina Zayed Plaza demolition Friday morning, Abu Dhabi.

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Mina Plaza demolition

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Updated: November 27, 2020, 12:03 PM

Gone in 10 seconds: Mina Plaza towers torn down in Abu Dhabi - in pictures