St Augustine’s Church would be closed for a thorough inspection and conservation work following a partial collapse of the building’s wooden ceiling and some roof tiles.

The Cultural Affairs Bureau immediately activated an emergency response plan following the incident on Sunday (29 May). Restoration work has started today. Before the end of the day all debris will be removed and bamboo scaffolding will be put up on a temporary basis to protect the building.

No one was injured in Sunday’s incident. The affected area – away from the main body of the church where worshippers sit – is mostly comprised of a corridor connecting parts of the building that are not accessible to the public. It is possible that the recent rainstorms and turbulent weather conditions were a factor in the incident.

The Government conducts regular checks on Macao buildings deemed to have significant cultural value. This conservation measure has been in place since 2008. The Government conducted in May 2015 a scheduled inspection of the walls and roof of St Augustine’s Church, and carried out necessary conservation work in September last year.

In view of the approaching rainy season, the Cultural Affairs Bureau will strengthen its monitoring of the city’s cultural heritage sites and the buildings within them.

The Government always pays great attention to the protection of the city’s cultural heritage. It will put more resources into monitoring the buildings that are part of that heritage.

St Augustine’s Church is a part of the Historic Centre of Macao, which is included on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The Church was built in 1591, and is one of the oldest churches in Macao.