Tenants evacuated from Shenzhen’s swaying SEG Plaza skyscraper demand compensation as investigation into cause continues

Many tenants selling electrical goods in Shenzhen’s fifth-highest tower want to be compensated for business disruption and early termination of their leases

Mystery still surrounds the periodic trembling of the 72-storey tower after 10 days

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The landmark skyscraper in the city’s famous Huaqiangbei electronics district began swaying for no apparent reason on the afternoon of May 18. Photo: Martin Chan

Published: 8:30am, 28 May 2021Updated: 8:42am, 28 May 2021

Tenants evacuated from a commercial skyscraper in Shenzhen that began shaking last week are seeking compensation, as investigations continue into the cause of the mysterious wobbling.

The owner of an electronics trading company in the 72-storey SEG Plaza, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue, is looking for a new premises rather than risk having to rush to safety down some 20 flights of stairs again, as he did last Tuesday.

He is now working in a temporary office arranged by the government and building owner and has decided not to return to his 100 square-metre office even though he may end up receiving no compensation and losing his two-month deposit of about 20,000 yuan (US$3,136).

He is one of many tenants selling electrical goods in Shenzhen’s fifth-highest tower who are now calling for compensation for business disruption and early termination of their leases at SEG Plaza.

The landmark skyscraper in the city’s famous Huaqiangbei electronics district began swaying for no apparent reason on the afternoon of May 18, leading to the emergency evacuation of thousands of people. It experienced further periodic tremors over the next two days, each lasting a couple of minutes.

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