Cairo Building Collapse Claims 12 Lives: Calls for Enhanced Construction Regulations and Stricter Enforcement

Tragedy strikes Cairo as a five-story apartment building collapsed in the Hadaeq el-Qubbah neighborhood, leaving at least 12 people dead and multiple others injured. Rescue teams worked tirelessly to recover the bodies from under the rubble, while also evacuating a neighboring apartment building as a precautionary measure.

Four survivors were taken to the hospital for medical attention. According to the state-run MENA news agency, Cairo's deputy governor, Hossam Fawzi, confirmed the death toll of 12 and ongoing efforts to locate two missing individuals.

However, the state newspaper Al-Ahram reported a slightly higher death toll of 13. The cause of the collapse remains unclear, but preliminary investigations suggest that a ground floor resident may have played a role by removing several walls during earlier maintenance work. This resident has been arrested and is currently being questioned by authorities.

In response to the tragedy, Egypt's Ministry of Social Solidarity has announced financial aid amounting to 60,000 Egyptian pounds ($1939) for the families of the victims.

Additionally, the ministry has pledged to provide assistance to the injured and is closely monitoring the damage incurred by nearby properties. The area around the collapse has been cordoned off by police forces as rescue teams continue their search for any potential survivors.

Unfortunately, building collapses are not uncommon in Egypt, particularly in impoverished city neighborhoods and rural areas where inadequate construction and poor maintenance practices prevail.

Just a day before this incident, four people lost their lives and 13 others were injured in a separate building collapse in northern Egypt. Last June, ten individuals were killed when a 13-story building collapsed in Alexandria.

To address the persistent issue of unsafe buildings, the government has recently intensified efforts to crack down on illegal constructions and enforce proper building permits.

Moreover, authorities are constructing new cities and neighborhoods to relocate individuals living in high-risk areas. However, the demand for real estate in sprawling cities like Cairo and Alexandria often drives developers to flout regulations for higher profits, leading to the addition of unauthorized floors without official permits.

As Egypt mourns the loss of lives in this devastating incident, it serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for enhanced construction regulations, stricter enforcement, and a holistic approach to urban planning to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens.