A residential building in Cairo, Egypt, collapsed on Tuesday, resulting in at least eight fatalities, according to local authorities.
The Health Ministry reported that the six-storey building, located in the Waili district, also left three individuals injured, who have since been hospitalised.
Cairo’s governor, Ibrahim Saber, has mandated the evacuation of nearby buildings as a safety precaution, as stated by the governor’s office.
The cause of the collapse remains uncertain, but the building, which dates back to the 1960s, is now under investigation by prosecutors.
Building collapses are a frequent occurrence in Egypt, largely due to poor construction practices and inadequate maintenance, particularly in shantytowns, impoverished urban areas, and rural regions.
In recent years, the government has intensified efforts to combat illegal construction following decades of weak enforcement. Authorities are also developing new cities and neighbourhoods to relocate residents from high-risk areas.
Nevertheless, many Egyptian cities still have numerous neighbourhoods with unlicensed apartment buildings and shantytowns that fail to comply with building codes and regulations.
Frances Ibiefo
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