An apartment structure collapsed in Cairo on Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of at least eight individuals, as reported by local authorities.
The Health Ministry issued a statement confirming that the incident involved a six-story building located in the western district of Waili, which also left three others injured and requiring hospitalization.
In response to the tragedy, Cairo’s governor, Ibrahim Saber, directed the evacuation of nearby residences as a safety precaution, according to a release from his office.
The exact reasons behind the collapse of the building, which dates back to the 1960s, remain unclear. The governor’s office indicated that an investigation has been launched by prosecutors to determine the cause.
Building collapses are a frequent occurrence in Egypt, attributed to inadequate construction practices and poor maintenance, particularly in informal settlements, impoverished urban areas, and rural communities.
In recent years, the government has made efforts to enforce stricter regulations against illegal building after a long history of insufficient oversight.
Authorities are also undertaking projects to create new cities and neighborhoods to relocate residents from vulnerable zones.
Nonetheless, many cities across Egypt still feature entire districts filled with unregulated apartment complexes and makeshift housing that fail to adhere to established building codes and safety guidelines.