At least 12 people have tragically lost their lives and several others have been injured after a four-storey building collapsed in Douala, the commercial capital of Cameroon. The collapse occurred in the eastern Ange Raphael neighborhood, and the building fell onto another smaller residential building.

Rescue efforts are currently underway, with search and rescue teams working tirelessly to locate survivors and recover any more bodies that may be trapped in the wreckage. The cause of the collapse is still unknown, but local residents have stated that the building appeared deteriorated, with exposed and worn-out rods.

This incident is not the first of its kind in Douala, as in 2016, five people were killed in a similar building collapse. Authorities at the time attributed the collapse to poor repairs and violations of building regulations. In June of that year, local authorities identified 500 buildings in danger of collapse.

The city council of Douala is currently in the process of demolishing houses in high-risk areas that are prone to floods or landslides. However, the building that collapsed on Sunday was not marked for demolition.

The Laquintinie hospital in Douala has reported that it has received 13 patients, with two fatalities among them, including a three-year-old girl and a 19-year-old woman.

Three other children who were injured are receiving immediate pediatric treatment. Government troops, alongside the military's fire brigade and the Red Cross, are assisting in the search and rescue efforts.

This tragic incident highlights the need for strict enforcement of building regulations and regular inspections to ensure the safety of residents. Authorities will need to investigate the cause of the collapse and take appropriate measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.