Egypt: at least 10 fatalities after building collapse, possibly due to explosion

On Monday, February 17, a three-story building collapsed in Cairo, Egypt, at around 5 a.m. local time, resulting in the deaths of 10 people and injuring 8 others. Authorities feared that more victims might be trapped under the rubble.

The incident occurred in the working-class district of Kerdasa, in western Greater Cairo. Emergency responders, including civil defense teams, promptly arrived at the scene and began rescue operations to locate those believed to be missing.

Giza Governor Adel al-Naggar ruled out evacuating nearby structures, despite concerns about further collapse, stating that public safety was not at risk.

As of now, the cause of the collapse remains unknown, and an investigation is underway by security and forensic teams. However, eyewitnesses reported that the collapse resulted from a gas cylinder explosion. It is worth noting that Cairo has experienced numerous building collapses in the past, often leading to fatalities due to aging structures and noncompliance with construction standards. Additionally, building safety regulations are inconsistently enforced.