The death toll from a building collapse in Tripoli, northern Lebanon, has risen to 15, state media reported on Monday, as authorities ordered the evacuation of more than 100 nearby buildings over safety concerns.
Eight people were injured in the collapse, according to the state-run National News Agency. Lebanon’s civil defense said at least one person was treated for a gunshot wound after residents fired shots into the air in anger following the incident.
The six-story apartment building collapsed Sunday afternoon in Bab Tabbaneh, one of Tripoli’s poorest neighborhoods. Residents of Lebanon’s second-largest city have long complained about government neglect and weak infrastructure oversight.
While building collapses are not uncommon in Tripoli due to poor construction standards and lack of maintenance, Sunday’s incident sparked widespread outrage because of the high number of casualties.
Authorities evacuated surrounding buildings fearing they may also be structurally unsafe. Officials said investigations are underway to determine the cause of the collapse and to hold those responsible accountable.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam chaired an emergency meeting on Monday with national and local officials. The government decided to evacuate 114 buildings deemed at risk of collapse in phases over the next month.
Salam said the Higher Relief Committee will assess the evacuated buildings, reinforce those that can be saved, and demolish structures that are beyond repair. Families forced to leave their homes will receive housing assistance for one year, he added.
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