BEIRUT (AP) — At least nine people were killed and six rescued following the collapse of a multistory apartment building Sunday in Tripoli, northern Lebanon, according to state media reports.
Search and Rescue Efforts Continue
Rescue teams are continuing to search for eight people believed to be missing in the rubble. Among those recovered were the bodies of a child and a woman. Dozens have gathered at the site and reports indicate some were shooting in the air.
The collapsed building was located in the Bab Tabbaneh neighborhood, described as one of the poorest areas in Lebanon’s second-largest city. Residents in the area have reportedly long complained of government neglect and substandard infrastructure.
Government Response and Concerns
Lebanon’s Health Ministry stated that those injured in the collapse will receive treatment at the state’s expense. The national syndicate for property owners released a statement attributing the collapse to “blatant negligence and shortcomings of the Lebanese state toward the safety of citizens and their housing security,” adding that this was “not an isolated incident.”
The syndicate has called for a comprehensive national survey to identify buildings at risk of collapse. Government officials have pledged to provide shelter to survivors and evacuate residents of surrounding buildings deemed structurally unsound. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated the government will work to reinforce buildings found to be in danger, with local authorities responsible for identifying those structures.
According to Prime Minister Salam, the government “will not shirk our responsibility” and will hold accountable anyone found negligent in the matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did this collapse occur?
The building collapse occurred in the Bab Tabbaneh neighborhood of Tripoli, in northern Lebanon.
What is the government’s response?
The government has pledged to provide shelter, reinforce at-risk buildings, and hold those responsible for negligence accountable.
Has Tripoli experienced building collapses before?
Building collapses are reportedly not uncommon in Tripoli due to poor building standards.
As rescue efforts continue and investigations start, the extent of the negligence and the potential for further collapses remain uncertain.
