Deadly building collapse hits Tripoli
Six killed as rescue teams search for trapped victims
At least six people were killed and seven injured when two adjoining buildings collapsed in Tripoli’s Bab al‑Tabbaneh neighbourhood, municipal officials said, as rescue teams searched for additional victims believed trapped under the rubble. Authorities and volunteers recovered three survivors from beneath the debris and deployed heavy machinery and engineers to support search-and-rescue and assess nearby structures.
Emergency services cordoned off the area, shut down power and gas lines as a precaution, and evacuated adjacent buildings amid concerns over structural instability. Hospitals in the area were placed on alert to treat the injured, some in serious condition, while humanitarian groups and volunteers provided food, water and psychological support to affected families.
The cause of the collapse remains under investigation. Residents reported visible signs of structural damage prior to the incident and accused authorities of failing to act on safety complaints. Lebanon has seen multiple deadly building failures in recent years linked to poor maintenance, unauthorized construction and weakened oversight, concerns compounded by the country’s prolonged economic crisis and stretched public services.
Officials warned the casualty toll could rise as searches continue in narrow streets that have complicated rescue operations. Political leaders expressed condolences and called for accountability and stricter enforcement of building‑safety regulations. Urban planners and civil‑society groups urged accelerated surveys and reinforcement programs for vulnerable housing, saying the disaster highlights systemic governance and infrastructure problems that disproportionately affect poorer communities.
Search teams continued working under floodlights into the night, listening for signs of life, while families gathered near the site seeking news of missing relatives. For now, authorities and responders focus on rescue and recovery, even as the collapse renews debate over the need for urgent measures to prevent further tragedies linked to aging and unsafe buildings.
