Egypt: High-rise residential building in Alexandria collapses, many people under the rubble

A 13-storey building collapsed on Monday in the Egyptian city of Alexandria on the Mediterranean Sea. The apartments were used as summer accommodation for holidaymakers, including those from abroad. There is still no information on the number of fatalities and injuries.

Terrible images from Alexandria, Egypt, where a multi-storey residential building collapsed at noon on Monday for reasons that are still unclear. According to the authorities, dozens of people are said to be under the rubble. The emergency services are on duty.

Alexandria Governor Mohammed al-Sharif said a "vertical gap" had been created on the building before the collapse.

Initially, there was no information about possible fatalities or injuries. Local media report that there was a supermarket on the ground floor of the 13-storey house, which could increase the number of victims.

The apartments in the house are said to have been used as summer accommodation, which is why foreigners are also feared among the victims. There was apparently no permit for the construction of the top floor, which is why there had already been an official order to have it demolished.

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