Death toll rises to 15 after building collapse in northern Lebanon

At least 15 people have died after a residential building collapsed in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli, state media reported on Monday.

According to the state-run National News Agency, eight more people were injured in the incident. Lebanon’s civil defense said one of the injured also suffered a gunshot wound. 

Following the collapse, angry residents gathered at the site and fired shots into the air.

The six-storey apartment building came down on Sunday afternoon in the Bab Tabbaneh area, a densely populated and impoverished neighbourhood of Tripoli. 

The city is Lebanon’s second largest and has long faced complaints from residents over poor infrastructure and government neglect.

While building collapses are not rare in Tripoli due to weak construction standards, this incident caused widespread anger because of the high number of casualties.

Authorities evacuated nearby buildings as a precaution, fearing they could also be at risk of collapse.

Officials said an investigation has been launched to determine what caused the building to fall and that legal action will be taken against anyone found responsible.