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Death toll rises to 15 after Tripoli building collapse
At least 15 people have died following the collapse of two residential buildings in Tripoli, northern Lebanon, state media reported on Monday. Eight survivors were pulled from the rubble, according to Civil Defence director general Imad Khreiss.
Rescue efforts and missing persons
The two adjacent buildings housed 22 residents, but authorities warned that more individuals could still be trapped under the debris. Khreiss confirmed ongoing search operations at the site.
Dramatic social media footage captured the moment the structures gave way, with the lower floors of one building crumbling before both collapsed nearly simultaneously. A dense cloud of dust and debris engulfed the street as the buildings imploded.
Public outrage and resignations
Tripoli Mayor Abdel Hamid Karimeh announced his resignation following the disaster, describing the city as "disaster-stricken" and citing years of neglect. "Thousands of our people in Tripoli are threatened due to long-term dereliction," he stated. "The situation is beyond the capabilities of the Tripoli municipality."
President Joseph Aoun said he was closely monitoring developments and called for nationwide rescue efforts to support the response. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam labeled the collapse a "humanitarian catastrophe," pledging government assistance for displaced residents.
"The government is fully prepared to provide accommodation for all residents of buildings that need to be evacuated. This disaster is the result of years of accumulated neglect."
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam
Chronic infrastructure failures
This incident marks the fifth residential building collapse in Tripoli this winter, raising alarms over the city's aging and poorly maintained structures. Just days earlier, residents were evacuated from a nearby building due to structural cracks, and two weeks prior, another collapse claimed the lives of a father and daughter.
Tripoli, Lebanon's second-largest city, has faced repeated building failures amid an economic crisis, inadequate maintenance, and weak regulatory oversight. Last month, the head of the Higher Relief Authority warned that over 100 buildings in the city required evacuation notices.
Calls for nationwide action
Many residential buildings across Lebanon were constructed illegally or without permits, particularly during the 1975-1990 civil war. Others have been expanded with additional floors without proper authorization, leaving thousands vulnerable, especially during winter.
The national syndicate for property owners condemned the collapse as the result of "blatant negligence and shortcomings of the Lebanese state toward the safety of citizens." The group urged the government to conduct a nationwide assessment of buildings at risk of collapse.
