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Two people have been injured following the collapse of a four-storey residential building in the heart of Old Cairo on Friday afternoon, according to local authorities.
The incident, which occurred around 3:00 PM local time on July 18, sent shockwaves through the densely populated and historically rich district.
Emergency services rushed to the scene after security forces at the Cairo Security Directorate received an urgent alert reporting the structural failure.
“Security forces and protection personnel immediately arrived at the scene, where it was discovered that a four-story building had collapsed,” an official source stated.
Rescue teams worked swiftly to search the rubble and evacuate survivors. The two individuals found trapped under debris were quickly pulled out and transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Their current medical conditions have not yet been disclosed.
Eyewitnesses described the moment the building gave way. “There was a loud cracking sound, and then dust filled the air. People were screaming and running everywhere,” said one resident, who lives in a neighbouring building. “We’re lucky more people weren’t inside.”
The reasons behind the collapse remain unclear. However, structural failures in aging buildings across Cairo have been a recurring issue, particularly in districts like Old Cairo, where many properties date back several decades.
Authorities have cordoned off the area and begun preliminary investigations to determine the cause of the collapse. Engineers and civil defense personnel are also assessing nearby buildings to ensure they remain structurally sound.
This latest incident has reignited public concern over building safety regulations in the Egyptian capital.
While laws exist requiring regular inspections and maintenance of old structures, enforcement has often been inconsistent, especially in informal housing zones.
Local officials have yet to release the names of the injured, and further details are expected as the investigation unfolds.
