This photo taken on Jan. 24, 2026 shows the rescue operations at the site of the collapse of a five-story residential building in the Qobbeh area of Tripoli, northern Lebanon. At least two people were killed on Saturday after a five-story residential building collapsed at dawn in the Qobbeh area of Tripoli, northern Lebanon, the Civil Defense said. (Photo by Khaled Habashiti/Xinhua)
BEIRUT, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- At least two people were killed on Saturday after a five-story residential building collapsed at dawn in the Qobbeh area of Tripoli, northern Lebanon, the Civil Defense said.
Local authorities reported the victims as 66-year-old Ahmad Abdul Hamid Al-Mir and his daughter, Alissar Al-Mir, a nurse at the government hospital.
The building, located on Al-Jadeed Street, collapsed in the early morning, trapping a family under the rubble and prompting an immediate rescue response from the Civil Defense, the Lebanese Red Cross, emergency associations, and volunteers, according to the National News Agency.
Rescue teams had earlier pulled one woman alive from under the debris and transferred her to the local hospital for treatment, while a 14-year-old boy from the same family was reported to be in safe condition.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said in a statement that he has been closely following the situation, stressing the need to provide all necessary support to the affected family and enhance coordination among relevant government bodies. He reiterated that addressing unsafe buildings in Tripoli is a top government priority and pledged to secure necessary funding as soon as possible.
The incident has renewed concerns over the deteriorating condition of residential buildings in Tripoli. The city's mayor warned that authorities are "racing against time," noting that 105 buildings require immediate evacuation and around 700 others need urgent intervention.
Rescue and debris-removal operations remain underway. ■
This photo taken on Jan. 24, 2026 shows the rescue operations at the site of the collapse of a five-story residential building in the Qobbeh area of Tripoli, northern Lebanon. At least two people were killed on Saturday after a five-story residential building collapsed at dawn in the Qobbeh area of Tripoli, northern Lebanon, the Civil Defense said. (Photo by Khaled Habashiti/Xinhua)
This photo taken on Jan. 24, 2026 shows the rescue operations at the site of the collapse of a five-story residential building in the Qobbeh area of Tripoli, northern Lebanon. At least two people were killed on Saturday after a five-story residential building collapsed at dawn in the Qobbeh area of Tripoli, northern Lebanon, the Civil Defense said. (Photo by Khaled Habashiti/Xinhua)
This photo taken on Jan. 24, 2026 shows the rescue operations at the site of the collapse of a five-story residential building in the Qobbeh area of Tripoli, northern Lebanon. At least two people were killed on Saturday after a five-story residential building collapsed at dawn in the Qobbeh area of Tripoli, northern Lebanon, the Civil Defense said. (Photo by Khaled Habashiti/Xinhua)
