‘Demolition Mina Plaza’ takes viewers through the extraordinary controlled razing of four high-rise structures to make way for a new development in Mina Zayed

The 22-minute documentary premieres on September 21st at 10pm UAE / 9pm KSA on National Geographic Abu Dhabi

September 19, 2021:  National Geographic Abu Dhabi is set to release ‘Demolition Mina Plaza’, a new feature documenting the record-breaking demolition in the Mina Zayed area of Abu Dhabi. The documentary captures exclusive behind the scenes footage of the controlled demolition, which paved the way for a new development as part of Abu Dhabi’s master plan.

From drilling 18,000 holes to place the explosives in, to the various simulations and test blasts to ensure minimal impact, viewers will be privy to all phases of the ground-breaking project. Leading up to the grand finale, audiences will also witness the final moments and ultimate demolition of the towers. What took a full year of planning, preparation, and testing, led to demolition within just 10 seconds. 

Traveling back to 1972, the documentary also chronicles the history of the Mina Zayed port, named after the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. While flourishing as a centre to seaborne trade, Mina Zayed also became a market area and popular dwelling for the city’s residents, who sought out its souks spread out across a number of single storey warehouses.

The demolition was part of a comprehensive plan to redevelop key areas of the port. Modon Properties was assigned by the Department of Municipalities and Transport to undertake the establishment of a new tourist landmark in the area and transform it into one of the most prominent destinations in Abu Dhabi. 

Taking place in November 2020, the controlled demolition earned Modon Properties a Guinness World Record title for the ‘tallest building demolished using explosives (controlled demolition)’. Controlled demolition is considered one of the safest demolition techniques in the world.

‘Demolition of Mina Plaza’ will premiere exclusively on National Geographic Abu Dhabi on September 21st at 10pm UAE time / 9pm KSA time.