At least four injured as 13-storey building collapses in Egypt

Initial police reports say a 'vertical split' in the structure caused it to collapse

Civil defence first responders speak with a policeman (white) at the scene of a collapsed 13-storey-building in the Sidi Bishr district of Egypt's northern city of Alexandria on June 26, 2023. (Photo by Hazem GOUDA / AFP)

First responders search through rubble at the scene in the Sidi Bishr district. AFP

A view of a building which collapsed in Alexandria. Reuters

The search for survivors amid the rubble is underway. EPA

First responders speak with a policeman at the scene of the building collapse. AFP

A view of a building which collapsed in Alexandria, Egypt, in this screen grab taken from a handout video released on June 26, 2023. Alexandria Governorate/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT

Searching for survivors amid the rubble. EPA

It is thought the building was being used by holidaymakers in Alexandria. EPA

A 13-storey apartment building has collapsed in the Egyptian coastal city of Alexandria.

Four people have been injured in the collapse, the municipal government said on Monday.

Several people remain trapped beneath the rubble, including residents and customers of a supermarket in the building, witnesses told local media.

According to Alexandria's governor, Maj Gen Mohamed El Sherif, the block's occupants were all holidaymakers who do not live in the city, but were visiting during the summer months.

The building dates back to the 1970s, Maj Gen El Sherif said, adding that it had been scheduled for demolition months ago.

An investigation had begun to determine exactly why the building collapsed, the governor confirmed.

Rescue teams are on site to remove the rubble and determine whether there are people trapped under it. So far, only one person has been reported injured, Mr El Sherif said, which conflicts with witness reports and information provided by the municipal government.

Municipal officials have announced that the four people who were injured in the collapse have been transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital.

An initial police report determined that the building's collapse was the result of a “vertical split” in its structure.

Hospitals in the area have been asked to prepare for the arrival of any victims.

Building collapses are common in Egypt, where unsupervised construction is rampant in the country’s rural provinces as well as in densely populated unofficial settlements in its big cities.

MP Mahmoud Essam submitted an official request to house speaker Hanafi Gabali on Monday to establish a more comprehensive strategy for dealing with the issue of building collapses in Egypt.

"With every incident, condemnations are issued without an integrated vision to address these problems on the ground," he said.

He added that more than 7,000 buildings in Alexandria are under threat of collapse, and called on the government to implement a more permanent solution.

In January, six people were killed when an apartment building south of the country collapsed.

The following month, another six died and 27 were injured when a four-storey building north of the country was brought down after a room full of gas cylinders exploded.

In April, another building collapsed in Alexandria, killing six people and injuring five others.