Dozens trapped in Beirut building collapse
- 12 years ago
Rescue workers battle to save dozens of residents still trapped after a building collapsed in the Lebanese capital.
At least four people have been killed and 15 wounded.
(SOUNDBITE) LEBANESE WOMAN NADA, SAYING(Arabic):
"We suddenly heard the noise of shaking and then screams of women and children, then we felt strong shaking, we didn't know if it was an earthquake or what. Then we saw a lot of dust."
The country's president arrived at the site saying more needed to be done to keep buildings safe.
(SOUNDBITE) LEBANESE PRESIDENT, MICHEL SULEIMAN, SAYING (Arabic):
"The disaster took place but municipalities should do regular check ups on the buildings to find ways to maintain these buildings and fix them before collapsing because it's clear that they are old buildings."
The five-story residential building in the Achrafieh district of Beirut was erected in the 1960s.
Marie-Claire Fennessy, Reuters
At least four people have been killed and 15 wounded.
(SOUNDBITE) LEBANESE WOMAN NADA, SAYING(Arabic):
"We suddenly heard the noise of shaking and then screams of women and children, then we felt strong shaking, we didn't know if it was an earthquake or what. Then we saw a lot of dust."
The country's president arrived at the site saying more needed to be done to keep buildings safe.
(SOUNDBITE) LEBANESE PRESIDENT, MICHEL SULEIMAN, SAYING (Arabic):
"The disaster took place but municipalities should do regular check ups on the buildings to find ways to maintain these buildings and fix them before collapsing because it's clear that they are old buildings."
The five-story residential building in the Achrafieh district of Beirut was erected in the 1960s.
Marie-Claire Fennessy, Reuters