The civil defense announced on Monday the end of search-and-rescue operations, confirming the recovery of 14 bodies, up from an earlier death toll of nine. Eight people were rescued alive from the rubble
At least 14 people have died and several others were injured after two adjoining buildings collapsed in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli, officials say.
The civil defense announced on Monday the end of search-and-rescue operations, confirming the recovery of 14 bodies, up from an earlier death toll of nine. Eight people were rescued alive from the rubble.
The collapsed structure consisted of two blocks, each containing six apartments, the civil defense said.
The operation was supported by the Lebanese Red Cross, along with other emergency and relief agencies.
Local residents also joined rescue efforts, helping remove debris and create openings in the collapsed buildings.
Members of the Internal Security Forces and Tripoli municipal police have evacuated nearby residential buildings over fears of further collapses, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA).
President Joseph Aoun ordered all emergency services to remain on high alert to assist rescue efforts and provide shelter for residents of neighboring buildings, the NNA reported.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the government is ready to provide housing allowances for all residents displaced by the evacuations.
“Given the scale of this humanitarian catastrophe, the result of years of accumulated neglect, and out of respect for the lives of the victims, I urge all political actors, in Tripoli and beyond, to refrain from exploiting this horrific disaster for short-sighted political gains,” he said.
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