Rescue teams search for survivors in building collapse that killed at least 9 in northern Lebanon

At least nine people were killed when a multistory apartment building collapsed Sunday in Tripoli, Lebanon’s second-largest city, as rescue workers continue searching for additional missing residents beneath the rubble.

Emergency teams have successfully rescued six people from the debris, while authorities believe eight more individuals remain trapped, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency. Among the recovered bodies were a child and a woman.

The collapse occurred in Bab Tabbaneh, one of Tripoli’s most impoverished neighborhoods, where residents have long voiced concerns about governmental neglect and deteriorating infrastructure. Dozens of distraught locals gathered around the massive crater left by the collapsed structure, with some firing shots into the air in apparent frustration and grief.

Building collapses have become a recurring tragedy in Tripoli, where poor construction standards and limited regulatory enforcement have created hazardous living conditions for many residents. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Lebanon’s urban poor, who often inhabit structurally compromised buildings due to economic necessity.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry has pledged to cover all medical expenses for those injured in the disaster, while government officials have committed to providing temporary shelter for survivors and residents evacuated from nearby buildings that may also be at risk.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam addressed the tragedy in a statement, promising that the government would “work to reinforce any buildings deemed to be in danger of collapse.” He emphasized that identifying such structures falls under the jurisdiction of local authorities but assured citizens that his administration would “not shirk our responsibility.”

Salam also vowed to hold accountable “anyone who may have been negligent in this matter,” suggesting potential investigations into whether regulatory failures contributed to the deadly collapse.

The national syndicate for property owners issued a forceful statement following the incident, describing the collapse as the result of “blatant negligence and shortcomings of the Lebanese state toward the safety of citizens and their housing security.” The organization stressed that this tragedy “is not an isolated incident” and called for immediate government action.

Specifically, the syndicate urged authorities to launch a comprehensive nationwide survey to identify buildings at risk of structural failure—a measure that could prevent future catastrophes but would require significant resources and political will to implement effectively.

The building collapse comes at a particularly challenging time for Lebanon, which continues to struggle with multiple overlapping crises. The country has been grappling with severe economic instability since 2019, with its currency losing more than 95 percent of its value. This financial meltdown has dramatically reduced the government’s capacity to maintain public infrastructure and provide basic services.

Infrastructure experts have previously warned that Lebanon’s aging building stock requires urgent attention, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas like northern Tripoli. Many structures throughout the country were built decades ago without adherence to modern safety standards or have deteriorated due to lack of maintenance.

As night fell in Tripoli, rescue operations continued under floodlights, with workers carefully removing debris in hopes of finding survivors. Local hospitals remained on high alert to receive additional injured residents, while community organizations mobilized to provide support for displaced families.

The incident has renewed calls for comprehensive urban planning reforms and stricter building code enforcement throughout Lebanon, though implementation of such measures remains challenging amid the country’s ongoing political and economic instability.