Eight lives were lost, and three others sustained injuries after a six-story residential building collapsed in central Cairo on Tuesday.
Egypt’s health ministry confirmed the fatalities, dispatching nine ambulances to the scene as rescue operations began in earnest.
Emergency responders are meticulously lifting debris in a desperate search for survivors or further casualties, spokesperson Hossam Abdel Ghaffar stated.
The ill-fated building, located in the Al-Waili district, was constructed in the 1960s and had a restoration order issued in 1993.
However, residents contested the restoration mandate, and it was ultimately never implemented, district head Ahmed Awad told state media.
Nearby buildings were promptly evacuated as a safety measure, according to a statement issued by Cairo’s governorate.
The collapse underscores a broader issue in central Cairo, where many buildings remain unrestored since their construction in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Greater Cairo, housing over 26 million people, has faced numerous deadly building collapses in recent years, often tied to neglect and regulatory lapses.
This tragedy highlights the urgent need for reinforced oversight and investment in maintaining the city’s aging infrastructure.
