At Least 19 Killed in Beirut Building Collapse

A residential building has collapsed in Beirut, killing at least 19 people. Most of the dead were foreign workers, many of which had just returned home from work. The building was in the Fassouh district and the cause is thought to be ground movement from heavy rains. There has also been a lot of construction nearby and that may have caused cracks in the building’s foundation.

Many residents in the area thought that there was an earthquake, as they felt the ground shake. One witness said that there was a huge cloud of dust that rose from the collapsed building. Screams could be heard from inside the pile of rubble immediately following the collapse. Rescue workers are still trying to find survivors, using bulldozers, cranes, and their hands to move mountains of debris.

Officials said that they do not expect to find any survivors, though. None have been pulled from the debris. There was more rain on Sunday, which made the recovery effort even more difficult. Four Lebanese citizens were killed in the disaster, including a teenage girl. The dead also include Sudanese, Egyptians, and Jordanians. There is also one body that has not been identified.

Twelve people were injured and are being treated at local hospitals. George Kattaneh, the head of the Red Cross in Beirut, confirmed the number of dead. Red Cross workers will continue the recovery operation today, even though more rain and thunderstorms are forecast for the region.

Such disasters are rare in Lebanon. Some residents who lived in the building reported hearing a “small blast” last week. That sound was a pillar snapping inside the building. Local prosecutors have instructed police to being an investigation into the cause of the collapse. Najib Mikati, Lebanon’s prime minister, has created a technical committee that will try to determine why and how the disaster happened.

Related News / Articles:

1. Fast Food Restaurant Explosion in Xian, China Kills Seven, Injuries Dozens
2. Indonesian Bridge Collapse Death Toll Rises to Eighteen
3. United Nation’s Office in Nigeria by Car Bomb
4. 11 Protestors Arrested in Washington D.C. after Breaking into Historic Building
5. 13 Year Old Boy Pulled from Earthquake Rubble in Turkey after Five Days
6. Massive Earthquake Strikes Turkey, Followed by at Least Seven Aftershocks