ST. JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda – Authorities have issued urgent safety advisories following a vehicular collision that severely compromised the structural integrity of a historic water tank in Liberta. The incident, which involved a motor vehicle striking the century-old structure, has rendered the landmark dangerously unstable.
Hon. E.P. Chet Greene, the area’s Member of Parliament, confirmed in a Sunday statement that the tank situated adjacent to Grace Hill Moravian Church sustained substantial damage. Preliminary assessments indicate the collision has created critical weaknesses in the infrastructure, posing imminent danger to bystanders.
“This architectural relic, believed to have served the community for over 100 years, now presents grave safety concerns following the impact,” Greene stated. He emphasized the structure’s precarious condition could lead to potential collapse without warning.
Emergency protocols have been activated with formal notifications submitted to the Public Works Department. Officials have prioritized repair requests, though no timeline has been established for commencement of stabilization efforts.
The MP issued explicit warnings prohibiting public access to the perimeter: “All citizens must maintain safe distance and avoid any contact with the compromised structure. The risk of sudden structural failure poses potentially fatal consequences.”
Special appeals were directed to educational stakeholders and caregivers, urging heightened supervision to prevent children from approaching the hazard zone. Community cooperation has been solicited to prevent tragedies while awaiting engineering interventions.
Greene acknowledged residents’ alertness in reporting the damage and urged continued vigilance until restoration work secures the historic site.