A devastating building collapse in Cairo’s Kerdasa neighborhood has left at least 10 people dead and eight more injured, according to state media reports. The incident, which occurred on Monday, has sparked an urgent search and rescue operation by civil defense teams who continue to comb through the rubble for additional survivors. Eyewitnesses have reported that a gas cylinder explosion may have triggered the collapse, though investigations are ongoing.
The incident occurred in a working-class area of Cairo, a city notorious for its dense population and often substandard housing conditions. Kerdasa, known for its narrow streets and overcrowded buildings, is one of the many districts that have faced challenges in ensuring safe living conditions for residents. The explosion reportedly caused the building to crumble suddenly, trapping numerous people inside. Local authorities have dispatched ambulances to the scene, and efforts to find those who may still be buried under the debris are ongoing.
This collapse is just the latest in a series of similar tragedies that have plagued Cairo in recent years. The sprawling metropolis, home to over 26 million people, is experiencing rapid urban growth, and many buildings—particularly in lower-income areas—are often built with little regard for safety standards or building regulations. Some of these structures are poorly maintained and dilapidated, leaving them vulnerable to collapse during natural or accidental events.
Cairo’s infrastructure struggles are partly attributed to uneven enforcement of building codes. While certain areas of the city may adhere to strict regulations, others, especially in working-class neighborhoods like Kerdasa, suffer from inadequate oversight. Corruption and a lack of resources for regulatory authorities have compounded the issue, leading to widespread violations of construction norms. This makes the city’s older buildings, particularly those not up to modern codes, especially susceptible to accidents like the one that occurred this week.
The local authorities have promised a full investigation into the cause of the collapse, with a police probe focusing on whether the explosion of a gas cylinder was indeed the primary factor. Eyewitnesses have recounted hearing a loud bang before the structure crumbled. The building in question is believed to have been decades old, raising further concerns about the state of similar buildings throughout the city.
The tragedy has drawn attention to Cairo’s ongoing urban challenges, and calls for better enforcement of building regulations are likely to intensify in the wake of the incident. As the rescue operations continue, authorities are urging the public to report unsafe buildings and to adhere to safety protocols to prevent further disasters.
In the meantime, the families of the victims are left to mourn, while the city grapples with yet another reminder of the risks posed by unregulated urban growth.