Bad news in the Putxet neighborhood of Barcelona. After days of work and a positive evolution so that the residents affected by the sinkhole caused by the L9 works – nearly 300 people – could gradually return home on July 7, there has been a structural setback that will prevent normality, for the moment, for the inhabitants of Rubinstein, Sant Gervasi de Cassoles, and Teodora Lamadrid streets.

Alongside fires and heatwaves, this is also proving to be the summer of transport construction incidents: in a short time, we've had two sinkholes and an explosion. If winter was marked by the tragic accidents in Gelida and Adamuz, now, fortunately so far without loss of human life, we are suffering surprising ground collapses in major public works. What is happening to us?

The day after the collapse of the R2 works between Barcelona and Montcada, which caused a great scare and swallowed a large crane, the Secretary of State for Transport, José Antonio Santano, admitted that it would take "days" to fill the gap with concrete, but that, "if all goes well," train traffic could be restored next week. However, the secretary has asked for caution and acknowledged that a more concrete date for the resumption of service could be given from Saturday.

A week after the incident, residents of the 93 apartments in the Sant Gervasi - la Bonanova neighborhood remain evacuated and will not be able to return to their homes until at least Friday. The Minister of Territory, Housing and Ecological Transition, Sílvia Paneque, has not ruled out compensation for residents and merchants affected by the sinkhole caused by the works on line L9 of the metro in Barcelona. In an interview on "Els matins" on TV3, the minister stated that they will do "whatever it takes," after being asked about possible compensation. "It is clear that the residents have no responsibility in this," she said.

The eviction of residents from the eight affected blocks is extended due to last Tuesday's sinkhole, caused by the works on metro line L9. The general director of Infrastructure of the Generalitat, Ramon Ramírez, has explained that the technicians have recommended carrying out new checks on the state of the land beneath the buildings where the hole occurred and, for this reason, the residents will not be able to return to their homes at least until Friday of next week. The possibility of them returning this Saturday is thus ruled out.