A confidential report by engineering firm Arup reveals that a van packed with explosives targeting the new Chinese super embassy in London could cause a residential block to collapse and injure people up to 176 metres away.
The 51-page analysis, prepared for Tower Hamlets council, assesses three attack scenarios: a person-borne bomb, a car bomb, and a large van bomb. It identifies seven nearby buildings at risk, including St Mary Graces Court, Sceptre Court, 40 Tower Hill, Swan Court, Royal Mint Garden, 85 Royal Mint Street, Tower Bridge House, offices at Commodity Quay, SG House, and Minories car park.
Worst-case scenario: building collapse
The document states: 'It can be observed that the St Mary Graces Court (building G), due to its close proximity to the rear of the embassy, would be the worst affected by VBIED or LVBIED attack at the rear of the embassy. The worst scenario could be possible building collapse or severe damage to building frame under LVBIED attack.'
In a person-borne bomb attack at the rear entrance, people within nine metres 'are likely to be dead or suffer severe injuries as a direct result' of the blast wave, with injuries from broken glass or debris possible up to 55 metres away. A car bomb at the front could kill or severely injure within 17 metres, and injure up to 103 metres away. A van bomb could cause death or severe injury within 29 metres and injuries as far as 176 metres.
Residents and legal challenge
Mark Nygate, treasurer of the Royal Mint Court Residents’ Association, said: 'The blast assessment highlights why the residents are so concerned about their safety and security and why any mitigating measures agreed between the council and the Embassy only protect Embassy staff and not the locals.'
The residents’ association is challenging the plans in the High Court, arguing planning conditions are unenforceable due to the Vienna Convention and that two key documents were withheld. Ricardo Gama, a partner at Leigh Day representing the association, said: 'The residents’ association’s case is that the blast assessment and security statement contained important information about the security risks to their homes... they should have been provided to them so that they could understand the risks and provide their views on ways that they could be mitigated.'
Razor wire was recently installed at the site after a security incident. The embassy, set to be Europe’s largest at 20,000 square metres, has faced opposition over spying concerns. China purchased the site for £255 million in 2018, including homes of around 200 residents.
