Indian city demolishes skyscrapers that were built without proper approvals

The 22-story buildings in Maradu, near the city of Kochi, were found to have been built without proper approvals. The high court ordered them demolished after local residents and environmental activists raised concerns about their proximity to a bird sanctuary. <br><br>The demolitions happened on Saturday and Sunday, and were carried out by controlled implosions overseen by experts from Dubai. The demolition was live-streamed on television and watched by hundreds of people, reports said.<br><br>The two buildings had 344 apartments and 54 flats. The owners of the buildings, who had been protesting the demolitions, were compensated. The demolition is likely to make way for a new project that will not violate the coastal norms.