Cairo’s Waily neighborhood was the scene of a tragic event with the collapse of a six-story building at 79 Abbasiya Street. This disaster claimed the lives of eight people, the last victim found under the rubble being an elderly man. Civil defense teams worked tirelessly to try to save possible survivors, highlighting once again the dedication and professionalism of these essential actors.
The building, dating from the 1960s, consisted of a ground floor, four floors and a terrace. Faced with this tragedy, local authorities immediately mobilized, sending rescue teams, ambulances and security forces to coordinate rescue operations and ensure rigorous monitoring of the situation. An investigation was opened by the public prosecutor’s office to shed light on the circumstances of this collapse.
Four injured people were able to be extracted from the rubble and taken to Dar al-Shifa hospital to receive the necessary care. Sadly, two deaths have been confirmed, plunging the local community into mourning and dismay. Efforts continue to find possible survivors under the rubble, a delicate and challenging task for the rescue teams engaged on the ground.
As a precaution, the Governor of Cairo has ordered the establishment of a commission of experts to examine the collapsed building and surrounding buildings, with the preventive evacuation of residents without their personal belongings to assess the potential damage caused by this tragic event. The priority is to ensure intensive medical follow-up for the injured and to provide emergency assistance to those affected by this disaster.
In these difficult times, solidarity and unity prevail within the community, while local authorities are redoubling their efforts to manage this crisis in an effective and humane manner. The lessons learned from this incident should prompt us to strengthen our building security policies and emergency procedures to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Let us pay tribute to the courage of the rescue teams and express our support to the families affected by this painful ordeal.