80-ton drilling rig lifted from Silkeborg building

More than a day after an 80-ton drilling rig crashed through the roof of Fredens Hus in Silkeborg, the machine has been lifted and police have removed the cordon, DR reports.

The rig toppled on Monday afternoon during construction work at a neighbouring property, leaving a large hole in the roof of the multi-storey building. No one was injured.

Police had evacuated Fredens Hus and warned people to respect the cordon because of the risk of further collapse. Residents and shop owners can now return to the building, and the area is returning to near-normal conditions.

The operation to lift the rig was more complicated than initially expected. One crane could not set the machine upright, so a second crane was brought in and the two cranes lifted it together.

The cause of the accident is not yet known. The Danish Working Environment Authority is investigating.