At Least 15 People Killed in Cairo Building Collapse

According to the city authorities in Cairo, a five-story apartment building collapsed in Egypt’s capital, killing over a dozen people and injuring many others.

Local media reported that emergency services officials were evacuating a neighboring building, in Cairo’ Hadayek el Kobba neighborhood, while injured people have been rushed to a hospital from the scene of the disaster.

Rescue efforts to locate survivors trapped in the wreckage were ongoing, with some bodies and at least four survivors having been recovered.

The chief of the country’s Administrative Prosecution Authority has ordered an investigation to determine the cause of the deadly collapse that happened less than two miles from the city center.

An initial inspection revealed that the collapse was caused by one of the ground floor residents who removed a number of walls during previous maintenance work, according to the quote from Cairo’s deputy governor, Hossam Fawzi. The official said the person has been detained and will be investigated.

The country’s Ministry of Social Solidarity announced a donation of 60,000 Egyptian pounds ($1,940) to each of the families of those killed, as well as aid to the injured, while the damage to nearby properties is assessed.