Repairs set after tiles fall from center's roof

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (JP): The 20th Southeast Asian Games organizing committee plans renovations of the International Convention Center (ICC) after tiles fell from the roof in two separate incidents.

A section of the roof at the facility, which is home to the Main Press Center during the nine-day sports event, fell on Wednesday following a storm. The same accident also occurred on Tuesday last week.

Two heavy construction devices were at a site near the media center on Thursday.

The reconstruction project forced journalists to hike up a hilly road after the organizers banned all shuttle buses from entering the ICC compound.

Some journalists resorted to using shuttle cars to enter the back gate.

Pengiran Haji Ismail, the adviser for accommodation and catering, told a news briefing on Thursday that such incidents could occur at any building.

"Since it happened at the SEA Games, it is very embarrassing. It might have happened two months ago but it actually happened when we hosted an important event," he said.

Ismail guaranteed that the building remained safe for journalists to work.

"Those in charge of construction have conducted their own laboratory tests on the building construction. And I can assure you that the structure of the building is very strong."

Several people were injured and cars were damaged in last Tuesday's incident. Nobody was hurt on Wednesday.

Ismail said he was unsure when the project would finish.

As a precaution, journalists and officials have been warned to stay clear of areas marked with red lines.

Renovations also are needed because the ICC will host the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting next year. (yan)