Some residents of Munkebjerg Park in Odense, Denmark, will be able to return to their homes starting Friday afternoon following an evacuation due to concerns about the stability of balcony foundations.

Odense Municipality’s city development manager, Birgitte J.K.T. Nielsen, confirmed that 97 residents from stairwells Munkebjerg Park 5-7, encompassing one apartment block, are cleared to move back in. The evacuation on Friday affected a total of 249 residents across 188 homes.

The decision to allow some residents to return comes as reinforcement work on the foundations is underway. According to Frederik Barfoed, director of Barfoed Group, the property owner, the final stages of this reinforcement can be completed with residents back in their apartments.

The remaining residents in Munkebjerg Park will receive updates next week regarding their return, according to the city development manager.

The evacuated residents had been temporarily housed in a hotel, with some finding alternative accommodations. The evacuation was ordered by Odense Municipality amid what has been described as a chaotic situation. Birgitte J.T.K. Nielsen acknowledged the disruption and stress experienced by the residents.

Munkebjerg Park has been the site of ongoing construction. In January, a fatal industrial accident occurred when a balcony collapsed, resulting in a fine for the engineering company Rambøll. However, the city development manager has stated that the current balcony issues are unrelated to the January incident.