Several lanes at the intersection of Windhorst Road and Parsons Avenue in Brandon remained closed for the indefinite future as county workers tread carefully in determining what caused a section of the roadway to collapse July 19.
“We have to be really careful at that intersection because there are lots of utility lines in the area,” said Hillsborough County spokesman Patrick Murray. "We have a sewer line and a water line there and we have to make sure there are no other utilities, so we have to be careful drilling.”
At the scene, late afternoon July 22, barricades were seen at the intersection, with drilling under way.
Crew workers first believed a 16-inch sewage pipeline beneath the intersection might have caused the collapse of the 6-foot-square section of roadway on July 19, according to a county report.
But the sewer line was dug up and found to be intact. Now the county is testing the intersection for sinkholes — but carefully, as Murray noted.
Additional detours and lane closures are possible as crews dig up the line for inspection and any necessary repairs.
Motorists who must travel through the intersection are warned to expect delays.
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.mystatesman.com/news/news/local/police-1-dead-1-injured-...
Police: 1 dead, 1 injured after Lockhart construction trench collapses
Posted: 5:29 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2016
LOCKHART — A construction trench for a wastewater line collapsed in Lockhart on Wednesday morning, trapping and killing one man and injuring another, authorities said.
The man who died was trapped underground as a trench was being built near the intersection of Clear Fork Street and City Line Road. Police responded at 11:17 a.m., but first responders weren’t able to pull the body from the trench until around 3:30 p.m., Lockhart police said.
The trench kept collapsing, which hampered recovery of the body, police said. The construction crew assisted police in recovering the body.
Police didn’t release the man’s name Wednesday evening.
The other, injured man was airlifted to a hospital and was conscious and alert, Lockhart police Capt. John Roescher said.
The contractor, Mercer Construction, is the company in charge of the job, which isn’t a city project, Lockhart City Manager Vance Rodgers said. The purpose of the project was to extend a wastewater line for a private development.
Federal investigators with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are in charge of the investigation. Rodgers declined to share any other details about the project while OSHA’s investigation is pending.
Rescue personnel work to excavate the body of a worker who became trapped and died Wednesday in a trench collapse at ... Read More
Sep 1, 2016
jorge namour
2 dead, several still trapped in Tel Aviv parking garage collapse - ISRAEL
http://edition.cnn.com/2016/09/05/middleeast/tel-aviv-building-coll...
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4850567,00.html
Jerusalem (CNN)A Tel Aviv parking garage collapsed Monday, killing at least two people and injuring about 20 others, officials said.
Hours after the collapse, as many as seven people were still trapped in the debris, Israeli emergency services said.
Witness Sraya Listenberg said the implosion was so intense, it felt like an earthquake.
"Everything fell down in one second," he said.
The four-story, underground parking garage was still under construction when it collapsed in a high-tech area of northern Tel Aviv. The upper three floors imploded; it's unclear how many people may be trapped on the lowest floor, believed to be about 50 feet underground.
As rescue teams tried to find trapped construction workers, authorities feared another collapse of the incomplete, unstable structure.
The cause of the collapse remains unclear.
Listenberg said the disaster could have been more tragic. The garage collapsed during a lunch hour, when some construction workers were eating outside.
"They had lots of luck," Listenberg said.
Sep 5, 2016
M. Difato
Three workers missing after bridge collapse in China
BEIJING: A decommissioned bridge collapsed in central China on Sunday (Sep 11), leaving three workers missing, state media reported.
The collapse happened as the bridge was being dismantled in Jiangxi province, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
Five workers who fell into the river in the accident were rescued and sent to hospital, Xinhua said. Rescuers were still looking for the three missing workers. The cause of the incident is under investigation, the agency said.
Photos posted by Xinhua showed the decommissioned bridge alongside a newer bridge with passenger cars stopped and motorists looking at the aftermath..."
Source and complete story: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/three-workers-missi...
Sep 11, 2016
Tracie Crespo
www.telegraphindia.com/1160911/jsp/odisha/story_107485.jsp#.V9Wx_5g...
Traffic chaos after bridge caves in
Sambalpur, Sept. 10: Traffic on the national highway No. 49, connecting with Mumbai and Calcutta, was disrupted after a bridge over the Bengasua Nullah caved in following heavy downpour today.
The nullah is located around 5 kilometres away from the Deogarh district headquarters town.
Vehicles remained stranded on either side of road that joined the collapsed bridge.
"The work on the diversion road will start shortly and will take at least seven days to complete. The vehicles plying on the National Highway will have to take a detour during this period," said Dash.
"We have informed police and district administration about the bridge collapse," Dash said.
He also said that the bridge was very old and that was why it had collapsed in the heavy rainfall.
The district emergency officer of Deogarh, Basant Kumar Dash, said: "There was heavy rainfall in Deogarh in the past 24 hours. While the average rainfall in the district between 8.30am on Friday and 8.30am on Saturday was 102mm, Deogarh recorded 195.04mm rainfall in total during this time."
The disruption of traffic caused severe inconvenience to the commuters. Several people were seen taking alternative routes to reach their destinations.
A resident of Deogarh town, Ashok Nanda, said: "The bridge collapse has disrupted one of the busiest roads of the state that connects with Mumbai and Calcutta. Thousands of vehicles ply on the road every day. The concerned authority should complete the construction on the diversion road at the earliest."
"I had to go to Keonjhar today. However, when I came to know about the bridge collapse on the national highway, I took an alternative route. I had to travel at least 100 kilometres extra to reach to Keonjhar," said a Sambalpur-based businessman Amit Mohanty.
Relocation cry
Thousands of villagers armed with lethal weapons, under the banner of Anchalik Surakshya Manch, congregated near the construction site of Kusei bridge on NH-215 in Keonjhar to oppose the construction of the high-level bridge over the river.
They are demanding relocation of the bridge. Work at the construction site was disrupted by the protest. Yesterday, the protesters had a clash with police, who lobbed tear gas shells and fired rubber bullets to control the mob. According to reports, the company involved with the construction of the bridge had put up red flags at the site in the morning before work began on Friday. The villagers opposed this.
When villagers started removing the red flags, police personnel deployed at the site opposed it, following which the situation went out of control leading to a scuffle between the police and the protesters.
Five protestors and two police personnel were injured.
Sixteen platoons of police forces were deployed at the site. Keonjhar collector N Thirumala Naik and SP Pandit Rajesh Uttamrao visited the site to take stock of the situation today. Section 144 had to be clamped in the area to prevent any untoward incidents.
Sep 11, 2016
jorge namour
Building collapses in Rome, evacuated more than 100 people: among the causes water infiltration - ITALY
September 24, 2016
A four-storey building at number 3 of Via della Farnesina, in Rome, is partially collapsed tonight
http://www.meteoweb.eu/2016/09/crolla-palazzina-a-roma-evacuate-olt...
https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=it&tl=en&js=y&...
A four-storey building at number 3 of Via della Farnesina, in Rome, is partially collapsed last night. There were no neither victims nor injured. The building had been evacuated last night after the Fire Brigade had found evident injuries.
They may have been underground water seepage that they did give up the foundations at the origin of the collapse. And 'one of the hypotheses under consideration of the firefighters who are still carrying out checks. On the spot tonight police, municipal police and civil protection.
According to what has been 'learned, were the 110 people evacuated.
-------------------------------
Rome collapsed building in the center: the former in January, the river Tiber [GALLERY] - ITALY
http://www.meteoweb.eu/foto/roma-crolla-palazzina-centro-precedente...
https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=it&tl=en&js=y&...
There is a precedent, less than a year ago, the collapse of the building took place last night in Rome, in the Movida area of Ponte Milvio . It was January 20 this year when, again in the middle of the night, a luxurious three-storey building collapsed on the river Tiber in Rome (in the upper gallery).
Structural failure affects the seventh, sixth and fifth floor of a building at number 70, near the Teatro Olimpico. Even there there are no deaths or injuries because a condominium, informed of crunches triggers the alarm.
Sep 24, 2016
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.ekathimerini.com/212536/article/ekathimerini/news/thessa...
NEWS 14:28Thessaloniki building sinks above metro tunnel
Long-delayed construction of the Thessaloniki metro came to a halt on the weekend after a building in the Voulgari district receded some 50 centimeters into the ground above a tunnel, local media reported on Tuesday.
According to Makedonia newspaper, metro engineers and local residents noticed that the apartment building on Papadaki Street, which is home to a kindergarten at ground-floor level, had sunk some 50 centimeters and caused a large fissure on the pavement, prompting an immediate stop in all construction in the area.
Responding to the report with an announcement on Tuesday, the company responsible for building the northern port city’s subway system, Attiko Metro SA, neither confirmed nor denied that the building had been affected, saying that the collapse was restricted to the area around the building.
Sources on Tuesday said that the company is carrying out inspections to ensure the stability of other buildings in the vicinity – something that would entail additional costs and time – though this was not confirmed by the official announcement, raising concerns about the integrity of structures above the tunnels.
The situation, the company said in its terse announcement, is being closely monitored “and there is no cause for concern regarding the progress of the project nor the safety of citizens and buildings.”
Oct 4, 2016
Starr DiGiacomo
http://103.16.74.132/backpage/four-die-rangamati-building-collapse-...
LAST MODIFIED: 03:02 AM, October 05, 2016
Four die in Rangamati as building topples
At least four people were killed and several others went missing last evening as a two-storied building toppled over into Kaptai Lake in Reserve Bazar area of the district.
The deceased were identified as Zahidul Islam, 45, his daughter Pinky, 13, her house tutor Umme Habiba, 22, and Saidul, 4, our local correspondent reports quoting Liton Kumar Palit, a physician at Rangamati Sadar Hospital.
The building, located near Rangamati Government Women's College, overturned around 6:00pm, said, Manzurul Mannan, deputy commissioner of Rangamati.
The building might have given way after the water level in the lake rose due to incessant rain and partially inundated it, said Golam Mustafa, assistant director of Fire Service and Civil Defence.
Seven people have been rescued while a child remained missing, Golam Mustafa told this correspondent.
A total of four families lived in the tin-roofed building as tenants, said locals.
Fire service with the help of the army, police and locals were conducting search and rescue operation till filing of this report at 10:00pm.
Oct 5, 2016
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.news18.com/news/india/bengaluru-building-collapse-1-kill...
Bengaluru Building Collapse: 1 Killed, Several Trapped
Press Trust Of India
First published: October 5, 2016, 5:37 PM ISTBengaluru: One person was killed and at least four others are feared trapped under the rubble after a five-storey under construction building collapsed on Wednesday near Bellandur, officials said.
One body has been recovered so far, officials said, as the rescue operations carried out by the State Disaster Response Force are underway.
"Four persons escaped, four are suspected trapped. One of them was rescued by our rescuers alive," Director General of Police, Fire and Emergency Services, M N Reddi said in a tweet.
Bengaluru Mayor G Padmavati visited the spot and said quality issues in the construction was the main reason for the mishap.
Stating that one entire floor was constructed in an unauthorised manner, she said "strict and merciless action will be taken against the owner, architect and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike officials involved"
Oct 5, 2016
Tracie Crespo
https://www.facebook.com/TheWeatherChannel/videos/10154684030920921/
Oct 9, 2016
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/local/213284301-story
POSTED:OCT 24 2016 07:40AM CDT
UPDATED:OCT 24 2016 07:40AM CDT
CHICAGO (SUN TIMES MEDIA WIRE) - No injuries were reported Monday morning when a wall collapsed in a vacant church in Wicker Park.
The collapse of the building’s north wall was reported about 6 a.m. at the vacant church in the 1900 block of West Schiller, according to Chicago Police.
Oct 24, 2016
Starr DiGiacomo
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/azad-market...
Delhi: 4-storey building ‘falls like pack of cards’ in Azad market, one dead
Esha Pandey, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) said that since the rescue operation was still underway, the number of people trapped inside could not be ascertained.
A 45-year-old woman died and her daughter sustained injuries when a four-storey residential complex collapsed in north Delhi’s Sadar Bazaar area on Friday evening. Rescue operations were underway till late in the night as more people were feared trapped under the rubble, police said. The incident took place at 4 pm in a congested locality in Azad Market’s Library Road. Eyewitness said the residential complex, which houses several flats and a godown on the ground floor, “fell like a pack of cards”.
Nov 5, 2016
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.leadertelegram.com/News/Front-Page/2016/11/09/lt-div-cla...
Road collapses in southern Japan
TOKYO — Parts of a main street collapsed in the heart of a major city in southern Japan on Tuesday, creating a massive sinkhole and cutting off power, water and gas supplies to parts of the city.
Authorities said no injuries were reported from the pre-sunrise collapse in downtown Fukuoka, which created a sinkhole more than half the size of an Olympic pool in the middle of the business district
The cause of the collapse is under investigation, Fukuoka officials said, but they linked it to ongoing subway construction nearby. A smaller sinkhole occurred in Fukuoka in 2014 at another location of the subway construction.
Fukuoka, a city of more than 1.5 million people, is about 620 miles southwest of Tokyo. The massive cave-in appeared in the city’s bustling Hakata district, a major business and entertainment center, with muddy underground water flowing into the hole.
The incident prompted the evacuation of some residents in nearby buildings. Officials were concerned that further erosion inside the sinkhole could prompt nearby structures to collapse.
“An accident like this is unheard of, one that should not have happened,” Fukuoka Mayor Soichiro Takashima said. “We must prevent secondary accidents, and will do our utmost to restore important infrastructure.”
Nov 9, 2016
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.rt.com/news/366006-plant-collapse-ekaterinburg-russia/
Industrial plant collapse kills 4 in Ural region, Russia
According to the Russian Investigative Committee, floor structures between two operating departments collapsed, killing four people, including three men aged 60, 54 and 30.
“We were sitting at the building in front [of the collapsed plant], heard a roar and saw a cloud of dust. We looked out the window and saw that a roof had collapsed in the nearby building. Some people got out of the windows, others were running around, removing those injured from the building,” an eyewitness told Е1.RU.
According to Russia’s Emergencies Ministry, more than 470 people and 80 units of equipment are currently involved in the removal of the collapsed plant’s sections.
Rescue operations are underway and a criminal investigation into the incident has been launched.
The area of collapse covers nearly 2,000 sq. meters. According to preliminary data, the cause of the incident could be snow accumulated on the roof of the plant after heavy snowfall.
According to preliminary data, there are no people under the rubble of the collapsed roof, Russia’s Emergencies Ministry told Interfax news agency. There were 119 workers in the operating department at the time of the incident, with 101 evacuated, another 14 taken to hospitals, and four dead. “Four people are in a serious condition,” Russia’s Emergencies Ministry said.
The Kalinin Machine-Building Plant is a large industrial factory, now part of Almaz-Antey, the giant Russian arms producer. Founded in 1866 in St. Petersburg by a decree of Russian Emperor Alexander II as an artillery workshop, it grew to become a factory of field, and later of anti-aircraft, artillery. Now, it produces both military and civil equipment.
Nov 11, 2016
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.nation.co.ke/counties/Kisii/kisii-building-collapse/1183...
At least six dead in Kisii building collapse
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6elvd7jKOo
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 10 2016
At least six people were killed and more than 40 injured when a 10-storey building that was under construction collapsed on Thursday in Kisii Town.
The building at Daraja Moja-Nyambera Road near Ram Hospital came tumbling down mid-morning, bringing the town to a standstill as residents rushed to the scene.
A huge crowd, most rushing to take pictures and videos using their mobile phones, milled around the building, hampering rescue efforts.
County ambulances rushed to the scene to pick the injured but most were ferried by boda bodas to the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital before the ambulances arrived.
By the time of going to press, a search for more survivors was still going on although rains pounding the area threatened to hamper the combined efforts by the Red Cross, County Disaster Management Team and St Johns Ambulance.
Government Spokesperson Eric Kiraithe said that the government together with the county, the Kenya Police and Kenya Red Cross were conducting a search and rescue operation with extensive support from locals.
“We understand the deep concern of families and members of the public following this grievous event. We humbly ask that the public and media be patient with the difficult and ongoing rescue and recovery exercise. We will continue to issue progress updates.
Nov 11, 2016
Starr DiGiacomo
http://indianexpress.com/article/world/world-news/china-building-co...
China building collapse: Four killed, six trapped in debris
An investigation into the incident is underway. All the six were rescued and admitted to hospital.
Four persons were killed and two others injured when a house collapsed in central China’s Henan Province, local officials said Friday.
Six persons were trapped in the debris when a house under construction collapsed at 2:30 pm (local time) yesterday in an economic and technological development zone in Zhangxingzhuang village, Xinxiang City, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
All the six were rescued and admitted to hospital but four of them died as of this morning, the report said, quoting the officials. An investigation into the incident is underway.
Nov 11, 2016
jorge namour
NEW ZEALAND 15 Nov 2016
Beam in Molesworth Street building fractured 'like a bone' - Fire Service
15 November 2016
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/318130/building-beam-fractured-'like-a-bone'
Authorities have closed Wellington's Molesworth Street because of the risk of a building collapse.
A cordon has been set up around 61 Molesworth St in central Wellington
Emergency services evacuated three homes and several buildings near the 10-storey high-rise, at 61 Molesworth Street.
Police cordoned off the street, and parts of nearby Hill Street, and diverted traffic.
Fire Service regional commander Brendan Nally said engineers doing a post-earthquake building check this afternoon found a major structural beam on the fifth floor had broken.
"A vertical beam in the building has been shorn, it looks somewhat like a broken bone in the leg, so it's fractured through.
"So it's a major supporting beam, it's up above the fifth floor, so it's the top four floors of the building [affected]."
Mr Nally called it a "clear structural failure". The engineers declared the building unsafe, he said.
The beam was by the lift shaft. The building was under renovation and was empty.
It was unclear what caused the damage or if the building would need to be demolished.
Mr Nally said the affected area would remain sealed off until decisions were made tomorrow about what to do.
Molesworth Street runs past Parliament and the National Library. It connects to the motorway and is a major thoroughfare for commuter traffic.
The evacuated buildings included New Zealand Rugby, St Pauls Cathedral, the Thai Embassy and the Red Cross.
Nearly 50 buildings quake-damaged
Engineers have been inspecting nearly 50 earthquake-damaged buildings in the capital city, with some likely to be closed for weeks.
Yesterday people were asked to stay away from the CBD after several multi-storey buildings were damaged, and glass fell into streets, following the magnitude 7.5 quake centred near Hanmer. CONTINUE...
Nov 15, 2016
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.theportugalnews.com/news/second-person-confirmed-dead-af...
Second person confirmed dead after Lisbon building collapses
Two people have been killed after part of a five-storey building collapsed on Monday lunchtime on Lisbon’s main Rua Alexandre Herculano.
Photo: CM Lisboa
The building was undergoing renovation work at the time its interior façade gave way.
The fatal victims are two a Portuguese men; labourers who were working on the renovations at the time of the collapse.
A third employee, who was also working on the building, managed to escape in time and survived the incident.
Traffic was cut off around the area and a security perimeter set up while search and rescue operations took place with sniffer dogs.
The Work Inspection authority is now to establish the cause of the accident.
Nov 29, 2016
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.fayobserver.com/news/local/ground-collapse-killed-pwc-wo...
Ground collapse blamed for accident that killed PWC worker
A worker for the Fayetteville Public Works Commission was killed Tuesday when the excavating machine he was operating rolled into the water at the confluence of Stewart Creek and McFadyen Lake.
A worker for the Fayetteville PWC was killed Tuesday when the excavating machine he was operating rolled into the water at the confluence of Stewart Creek and McFadyen Lake.
Construction equipment fell into a creek off Offing Drive in Waters Edge; a police dive team is searching for the person who was operating the machinery.
The accident that killed a Fayetteville PWC worker Tuesday morning happened when the ground collapsed beneath his excavator machine, according to state investigators.
James Willie Ivey, 40, of the 200 block of Nash Road in St. Pauls, was operating the machine along a bank of McFadyen Lake in the Waters Edge neighborhood. He had been employed by the Public Works Commission 13 years.
"It collapsed, and the vehicle slid in the water and overturned," said Neal O'Briant, a spokesman for the Department of Labor.
Dec 1, 2016
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2016/Dec-05/384129-b...
December 05, 2016 | 01:42 PM)
Beirut building collapse sparks panic among neighbors
BEIRUT: A heritage building collapsed in Beirut Monday, causing panic among residents of adjacent buildings.
The owner of the building in Beirut's Noueiri neighborhood had obtained a license to demolish the building, despite being listing as a heritage building, Al-Jadeed reported.
Work to demolish the building had begun a week ago, but its foundations collapsed suddenly Monday, causing panic among the residents of neighboring buildings.
"We want guarantees that our building will not be affected," a resident in an adjacent building told Al-Jadeed.
He said that cracks had begun to appear in the walls of his building.
The collapse didn't cause any injuries, as it had been evacuated around a week ago.
The vast majority of Lebanon’s heritage buildings stand unprotected, as the current heritage law, passed in 1933, only protects structures built before 1700.
A new draft heritage law has been stuck in legal limbo since 2000, due to the complex nature of the law and parliamentary paralysis.
Renovations in the 1990s, following Lebanon’s 15-year civil war,
have excluded many traditional buildings and several old Beirut structures have entirely or partially collapsed in recent years.
On Jan. 15, 2012, an old building in the Ashrafieh district collapsed, killing 27 people and injuring a dozen others.
Last week, Beirut Governor Ziyad Shbib ordered the evacuation of a Beirut building over safety concerns.
Dec 5, 2016
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2016/dec/10/hydera...
Hyderabad building collapse: Toll climbs to 11
By PTI | Published: 10th December 2016 12:00 PM
HYDERABAD: Eleven people were killed while two others were rescued after an under-construction building collapsed at Nanakramguda in Cyberabad zone, a Telangana minister said here today.
State Municipal Administration Minister K T Rama Rao, who supervised the rescue operations at the site of the incident, said only two persons - a mother and her child from Chhattisgarh -could be saved.
"Patient is under observation in ICU for any consequences of major pelvic injury such as Renal failure, bleeding , infection etc. She is stable & will be in ICU for next 72 hours."
"We could save two of the 13 people who were trapped in debris in the six-storey building collapse. Unfortunately, the remaining 11 lost their lives. It is a painful incident.We extend our sympathies to the families of the deceased on behalf of state government," he told reporters.
The building, in whose construction violations of rules have allegedly been found, came crashing down around 9 PM on Thursday. Rescue
workers, including personnel of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), struggled hard till all the bodies were recovered and the operation is over now.
Most of the deceased persons were workers hailing from the north coastal region of Andhra Pradesh, who lived in the cellar of the under-construction building.
Rama Rao said five ambulances have been arranged to transport the bodies to their native places. An ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh would be given to the next of kin of the deceased by the Telangana government.
Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Deputy Mayor Baba Fasiuddin said post mortem has been completed on the 11 bodies.
Rama Rao said the builder has been arrested and that tough action would be taken against the guilty in the incident. The state government has already suspended two GHMC officials over the incident.
An inquiry committee has been set up under Municipal Administration Secretary Navin Mittal and the report would be obtained in 15 days, he said.
"Nobody, either builder or GHMC officials, would be spared. We will show this as an example how tough action would be taken for violation of rules," the minister said.
The Andhra Pradesh government has also announced compensation to the victims in the tragedy, an MLA from the state, who visited the site, said.
AP Housing Minister K Mrinalini visited the spot yesterday.
Dec 10, 2016
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2016/12/11/nigeria-church-...
Official: 160 dead in collapse of church in Nigeria
(Photo: Channels TV via AP)
LAGOS, Nigeria - Metal girders and the roof of a crowded church collapsed onto worshipers in southern Nigeria, killing at least 160 people with the toll likely to rise, a hospital director said Sunday.
Mortuaries in the city of Uyo are overflowing from Saturday’s tragedy, medical director Etete Peters of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital told The Associated Press.
The Reigners Bible Church International was still under construction and workers had been rushing to finish it in time for Saturday’s ceremony to ordain founder Akan Weeks as a bishop, congregants said.
Hundreds of people, including Akwa Ibom state Gov. Udom Emmanuel, were inside when metal girders crashed onto worshipers and the corrugated iron roof caved in, they said. Emmanuel and Weeks, who preaches that God will make his followers rich, escaped unhurt.
Screaming survivors were streaming out and there were cries from injured victims when computer program analyst Ukeme Eyibio rushed to the scene.
“There were trapped bodies, parts of bodies, blood all over the place and people’s handbags and shoes scattered,” Eyibio said in a telephone interview.
He had parked his car outside the complex to make a phone call, heard a deafening explosion he thought was a bomb only to see that the church had disappeared, he said
Eyibio and three others managed to drag 10 wounded people from an overflow area for of worshipers just outside the collapsed church but they did not enter the main structure because a construction worker among them warned of the danger of a further collapse. The worker called his boss at Julius Berger construction company, who sent a crane to help lift debris off bodies.
While they waited for the crane, Eyibio tried to help a man whose legs were trapped under a steel girder. “I rushed to my car, got out the tire jack and used that to get the beam off his legs,” he said.
“We managed to get him out but we saw others dying all around us,” Eyibio, 27, said. “I’m so traumatized I could not sleep last night for the horrors repeating themselves in my mind.”
Many uncounted victims are in private mortuaries scattered across Uyo, youth leader Edikan Peters said. He said some people are secretly taking the bodies of relatives to their homes because mortuaries are overcrowded and some do not have refrigeration.
A crane is being used to lift debris believed to be hiding the bodies of more victims, said Peters.
Peter said he tallied 90 bodies before he was told to stop counting on Saturday night.
Journalists at the scene charge that church officials are trying to prevent them from documenting the tragedy, trying to seize cameras and forcing some to leave the area.
The governor’s spokesman, Ekerete Udoh, said the state government will hold an inquiry to investigate if anyone compromised building standards. Buildings collapse often in Nigeria because of endemic corruption with contractors using sub-standard materials and bribing inspectors to ignore shoddy work or a lack of building permits.
In 2014, 116 people died when a multi-story guesthouse of the Synagogue Church of All Nations collapsed in Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city. Most victims were visiting South African followers of the megachurch’s influential founder T. B. Joshua.
Two structural engineers, Joshua and church trustees have been accused of criminal negligence and involuntary manslaughter after a coroner found the building collapsed from structural failures caused by design and detailing errors.
But Lagos state government efforts to bring them to court have been foiled by repeated legal challenges that have delayed a trial.
Dec 12, 2016
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.independent.mk/articles/40424/Building+Collapse+in+Istan...
Building Collapse in Istanbul Leaves 2 Dead, 5 Injured
An empty building collapsed in Istanbul's Zeytinburnu district on Friday, killing at least two pedestrians and injuring 17 others, Daily Sabah informed. A child an adult were killed in the collapse, according to initial reports.
Later in the evening Istanbul governor Vasip Şahin said that 17 people were injured in the collapse and are currently being treated in hospital.
"None of the 17 injured are in critical condition. 21 buildings around the collapsed structure have also been evacuated as precaution," he said.
The 7-storey tall building was evacuated by the district municipality in December 2015. The exact reason for the building's collapse has not been revealed yet. However, the building is located some 40 meters away from the T1 tram line, and vibrations from the passing trams might have affected or accelerated the building's collapse.
A greater disaster was nearly missed since the building is located right next to a gas station. Ambulances and firefighter units were dispatched to the scene.
Jan 14, 2017
jorge namour
Iran: Many firefighters missing in Tehran building collapse
January 19, 2017
http://edition.cnn.com/2017/01/19/middleeast/iran-tehran-building-f...
Tehran (CNN)Thirty-five firefighters are missing after a multi-story building in Iran's capital, Tehran, collapsed around them as they battled a blaze, Tehran Fire Department spokesman Jalal Maleki told a local journalist on the scene.
Rescue teams are trying to dig out the missing firefighters, Maleki reportedly said.
The cause of the building fire and collapse is being investigated, he added.
The journalist on the scene, who spoke to CNN but declined to be named, said police and other uniformed security personnel have blocked the area and are not allowing people or cars to enter.
The Plasco building is seen after it collapsed following the fire.
Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported that the Plasco building -- a downtown commercial garment building and one of Tehran's oldest high-rises -- "no longer exists."
Some 30 firefighters are feared dead, according to the news agency's report.
Official news agency IRNA cited the head of Tehran Emergency Services as saying 70 people had been injured in the fire.
Report: 70 injured
Fars cited Maleki as saying that some 10 fire departments responded immediately to the blaze. But, he added, some people didn't realize the building was on fire because Tehran's air pollution masked the smoke from the blaze.
"The building collapsed on itself (vertically) and did not damage the adjacent buildings," IRNA quoted Maleki as saying.
IRNA said staff members at two nearby embassies and residents of many surrounding buildings had been asked to leave as a precaution.
The agency quoted Tehran Governor Hossein Hashemi as saying the fire was an accident and that no security issue was involved.
Fars cited Mojtaba Doroodian, head of the shirt makers' union, as saying that the fire was the result of a leak in a small gas cylinder on the 10th floor, which caused an explosion when a merchant turned on the lights in his store.
"When people in the building became aware of the fire they tried to put it out with fire extinguishers, but the fire extinguishers were empty," Doroodian is quoted as saying.
Jan 19, 2017
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2017/01/23/riverbank-co...
Riverbank collapses near Des Moines City Hall
Published 4:39 p.m. CT Jan. 23, 2017
A portion of the riverbank has collapsed near City Hall in downtown Des Moines.
Pam Cooksey, city engineer, said her department noticed Monday that soil between City Hall, 400 Robert D. Ray Drive., and the Des Moines River had shifted, but it has not determined a cause. Cooksey said it "looked kind of like a sinkhole."
"We’re looking into that right now to figure out what’s going on to get a repair," she said. "We became aware of it today. I assume it started it over the weekend."
Cooksey said the slide has not compromised the structural integrity of the historic building, which opened in 1910 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building has been closed since June while construction crew complete a yearlong renovation project.
The collapse also coincides with the replacement of the Grand Avenue bridge over the Des Moines River. The bridge is located just north of the collapse. Crews have removed the existing bridge deck, which will be replaced this year.
In April, a sinkhole swallowed a 40-foot tree in the front yard of a home on .... Officials said an abandoned coal mine underneath the site was likely to blame.
Cooksey said there are no abandoned mines near the latest collapse.
Jan 24, 2017
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.georgiaworld.com/2017/01/23/building-under-construction-...
Building Under Construction Collapses In Roxbury
BOSTON (CBS) – A three-story building collapsed in Roxbury Monday night.
Firefighters say the second and third floor of the Winthrop Street building, which is under construction, fell down.
Debris crashed into the adjacent building causing minor damage.
The fire department says no one was injured or evacuated from the building.
Investigators are trying to figure out if the storm contributed to the collapse.
Jan 24, 2017
Starr DiGiacomo
http://breakingnewslive.net/news/empty-building-collapses-in-istanb...
Empty building collapses in Istanbul's Zeytinburnu, 2 killed
2017-1-28 10:31 am
LATEST — Empty building collapses in Istanbul's Zeytinburnu district, injuries among pedestrians reported https://t.co/yVgiu1Z2iy pic.twitter.com/p2CNEtP9vj
Jan 28, 2017
Starr DiGiacomo
http://ommcomnews.com/public/newly-constructed-college-building-col...
Newly Constructed College Building Collapses In Balasore; Many Critical
Balasore
Balasore: At least six persons were critically injured after a portion of the roof of a newly constructed building of Central Institute of Plastics Engineering & Technology (CIPET) caved in here on Sunday.
According to reports, all the five were rescued in critical condition while some others are to be believed to be trapped under the debris.
All the injured persons were admitted to the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) here for treatment.
The eye-witnesses said the injured are construction workers who were working at the construction site.
Around 30-35 labourers were engaged in the construction activity, an eye-witness stated.
The horrific incident occurred at Balasore Mancheswar area at around 1.30 pm.
Locals who first rushed to the spot and rescued the five persons complained that their repeated calls to fire fighting personnel went unanswered.
The fire tenders and police reached the accident site after two hours, the locals alleged.
Two fire brigade teams, 2 bulldozers, one ODRAF team, NDRF team, a crane and 2 JCB machines engaged in rescue operations.
Poor quality construction is suspected to be the reason behind the collapse.
Meanwhile, the district administration has announced free treatment for the injured who are undergoing treatment at hospital.
Speaking to the media in the evening, Balasore ADM Manmath Pani said: "Search operations by fire brigade personnel, NDRF and ODRAF teams with the help of locals is completed and no one is buried under the concrete rubble."
the local police will lodge a complaint against National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) which is involved in the construction of the building and action will be taken against those who responsible for the mishap," the ADM added.
Jan 29, 2017
Starr DiGiacomo
https://citifmonline.com/2017/01/31/6-kg-pupils-die-in-classroom-co...
6 KG pupils die in classroom collapse at Breman Gyambra
Tuesday 31st January , 2017 12:40 pm
Six kindergarten pupils of the Breman Gyambra Methodist KG School are reported dead, after their dilapidated classroom block collapsed this [Tuesday] morning.
Three other pupils were reported to be in a critical condition but are responding to treatment. The school is in the Asikuma Odoben-Brakwa District.
According to an eyewitness, there were visible cracks on the classroom building.
The Breman Asikuma District Director of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, (CHRAJ) Samuel Donkor, who witnessed the incident, spoke to Citi News after visiting the scene.
The building collapsed when a class was in session, killing four of the children on the spot.
The others died when they were being transported to the Breman Asikuma Our Lady of Grace Government Hospital.
The police, ambulance and the fire service were at the scene to aid in rescue attempts. The school has however not been closed down for the day, according to Mr. Donkor.
According to the eyewitness, he spoke to the headmaster of the school, who indicated that they were aware of the dilapidated state of the school building, for which the school’s PTA decided to levy pupils to for repairs.
“He told me that at the last PTA meeting, they had decided to levy the children so that they will use the proceeds to renovate the place.”
Mr. Donkor further hinted that, CHRAJ may help the parents of the deceased and injured pupils to get some compensation from government.
“I left a message with the head teacher that if the parents come, they should tell them to come to the CHRAJ office so we assist them as to how they will get some compensation from the government,” he said.
Jan 31, 2017
Starr DiGiacomo
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/at-least-7-laboureres-dead-a...
At least 7 labourers dead as under-construction building collapses in Kanpur
Relief and rescue is underway with army troops also pressed into the operation. Senior administrative officials have rushed to the spot.
At least 7 labourers were killed and a dozen others were injured after an under-construction building collapsed on Wednesday in Kanpur’s Jajmau. Kanpur Police DIG Rajesh Modak told PTI that number of dead and injured may rise. The incident took place in KDA (Kanpur Development Authority) colony in the afternoon, when top floors of the seven-storey under-construction building started falling, Modak said.
So far, seven bodies have been recovered and around a dozen injured have been sent to hospital, he said. Home Minister Rajnath Singh also tweeted on the incident, “Spoke to DG NDRF regarding the news of an under construction building collapse in Kanpur. Two teams are rushing to the spot for rescue ops”. “I offer my condolences to those who lost their loved ones in Kanpur building collapse. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he said in a second tweet.
Relief and rescue is underway with army troops also pressed into the operation. Senior administrative officials have rushed to the spot. According to the DIG, the exact number of dead and injured could be ascertained only after sometime as many more are fear trapped under the rubble.As per locals, the collapsed building belongs to Samajwadi Party leader Mahtab Alam but no official has confirmed this
Feb 1, 2017
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.qna.org.qa/en-us/News/17020314010016/Death-Toll-Rises-to...
Death Toll Rises to Seven in China Building Collapse
Friday February 03, 2017
Beijing, February 03 (QNA) - Seven people were confirmed dead, and two other were hospitalized, a day after after an apartment block collapsed near Wenzhou, an industrial city in eastern China, local officials said Friday.
Part of a five-storey apartment building collapsed Thursday in the township of Baizhangji, burying members of two families, according to Xinhua news agency. The cause of the collapse was under investigation, the government said.
By Thursday night, rescuers had freed one survivor from the debris and recovered five bodies. Another woman was found alive Friday morning, according to Xinhua.
Fifty-eight people living nearby were evacuated, according to the report.
More than 400 firefighters, paramilitary officers and medical workers carried out the rescue operation, with the help of cranes and excavators, Xinhua said.
Wenzhou is a major manufacturing hub, attracting migrant workers from across the country.(QNA)
Feb 3, 2017
Starr DiGiacomo
http://edostatenews.online/2017/02/03/7-year-old-pupil-4-others-inj...
7-year old pupil, 4 others injured in school building collapse
7-year Old Pupil, 4 Others Injured In School Building Collapse
– A seven-year old pupil is said to have died in a primary school building that collapsed in Guma local government area of Benue state
– The pupil was killed after the building collapsed during the school's break period
– Four others were also injured from the incident
File photo of a collapsed building
A seven-year old pupil is said to have died in a primary school building that collapsed in Guma local government area of Benue state.
Nyom Godwin, a pupil of Victory international Nusery and Primary School, Daudu was reportedly killed when a section of a block of two classrooms collapsed on Tuesday, February 2.
Four other pupils sustained various degrees of injury from the incident.
It was gathered that the incident occurred at about 11 am when the pupils of the school were on a break.
A head teacher Jeremiah Agba who confirmed the incident said, the pupils were eating when the building collapsed.
Agba said: “The ugly incident happened when the pupils were eating behind the building during break time; unfortunately, we lost a seven-year-old pupil on the spot.”
“Another, Mlankyaa Nguevese had a fracture on one of his legs while three others sustained minor injuries
“The injured pupils are receiving treatment at a hospital while the body of the deceased has been buried at his home town, Tse-Hungwa, Ugondu, Guma LGA of the state,” Agba said.
Also speaking, the special adviser to the Benue state governor on education Matthew Mnyam directed that the part of the school building which was still standing be pulled down.
Mnyam who gave the direction when he visited the school urged staff of the primary school to also ensure that the school is always clean.
Also, the principal of the school Mlankyaa Francis, who thanked the governor’s special adviser said all observations raised, will be corrected with immediate effect.
Feb 3, 2017
Starr DiGiacomo
http://wlos.com/news/local/sheriffs-office-1-fatality-in-henderson-...
Henderson County building collapse leaves worker dead
HENDERSON COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — A worker died in a construction accident between Horse Shoe and Etowah on Friday afternoon, according to the Henderson County Sheriff's Office.
Major Frank Stout says the victim was 45-year-old Steven Jones from Etowah.
The incident happened around 2:15 p.m.
A construction crew was setting trusses in a building off of Highway 64, Stout said in an email, when there was a "domino effect" of the trusses, possibly caused by the wind.
"Workers showed up today to do their job. It's the end of the week, and sadly a tragic event like this does happen. But it will truly effect, not only the family, but the workers for the rest their lives," Stout told News 13.
Officials waited to release the victim's name until next of kin were notified.
Feb 11, 2017
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.theintell.com/news/local/part-of-warrington-townhouse-de...
Part of Warrington townhouse development collapses Monday; high winds likely to blame, police say
February 13 2017
Jim McClernand was in his kitchen Monday eating lunch with his wife, Kitty, when she suddenly screamed.
Just a few blocks away, in the Warrington Pointe community, two townhomes under construction came crashing down. "She said it came down like a house of cards," he said.
McClernand said he then saw fire officials, police and representatives from homebuilder Pulte Homes converge on the scene to inspect the rubble.
Warrington's Director of Emergency Services Lee Greenberg said there were no reported injuries and the cause of the collapse is under investigation. He said Monday's high winds — which the National Weather Service reported were sustained at 25 mph to 30 mph with gusts reaching as high as 45 mph — were likely responsible.
Warrington police Chief Daniel Friel confirmed there were workers inside one of the adjoining units at the time of the collapse.
"We know there may have been workers at the building earlier in the day but are unsure whether they were there when the building collapsed," said Valerie Dolenga, a spokeswoman for the Pulte Group Inc., in a statement issued Monday evening. She said the site is under a safety watch and will have an engineer on standby for the next few days.
After cleanup and evaluation, the company plans to rebuild. The four townhomes were to be the final addition to the 81-home community, Dolenga said.
She confirmed that a gas line shared by a few units in the neighboring building were shut off as a precaution. The homeowners were advised to stay elsewhere because the building would not be heated, and the company offered to put them up in a hotel.
McClernand said he and his wife saw a few men on the third floor of one of the outer units, which remained standing after the two inner units fell.
"The wind was absolutely incredible," he recalled, adding that he doesn't feel his home is in any danger. "I feel comfortable. It's obvious that the wind blew through there and just took it up. Just like the wind would take an umbrella."
Feb 14, 2017
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-dadar-building-collapse-resul...
Dadar building collapse results in Ola driver’s death
Wed, 15 Feb 2017-07:08pm , DNA
A three-storey building, Tejas in Dadar, Hindu colony collapsed on Wednesday evening around 5.30 pm, leading to the death of one person. The building, which was being demolished by the owner, was located in Hindu Colony's lane 2. The building collapsed on two cars which were passing by. The deceased, who died on the spot, was a driver of an Ola cab.
Feb 15, 2017
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.follownews.com/building-collapses-in-bronx-causes-4-tra...
Building collapses in Bronx; causes 4 train delays
WEST BRONX —A building collapsed near the Bedford Park Boulevard 4 train stop in the Bronx early Sunday, officials said.
Emergency personnel were at the scene of the collapse, New York City Emergency Management Officials said.
The collapse happened around 7 a.m., officials said. It is not yet clear what type of building collapsed or what caused it to happen.
Four trains were running with delays due to the collapse, the MTA tweeted. Service resumed as normal around 11:15 a.m.
Feb 19, 2017
KM
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4804922/NCP-Nottingham-City...
Vehicles are left hanging in mid-air after wall of multi-storey car park collapsed overnight
A multi-storey car park has collapsed leaving cars and vans dangling perilously over the edge 50 feet above the ground.
Part of the NCP Nottingham City car park gave way overnight with a police spokesman revealing a wall 'fell off' at about 4am.
Road closures are in place at the scene while structural engineers assess the damage.
Maureen Black, 74, told the Nottingham Post: 'If someone had been standing there next to one of the cars it could have been fatal. It's a long way to fall.'
Part of the NCP Nottingham City car park gave way overnight with a police spokesman revealing a wall 'fell off'
Road closures are in place at the scene while structural engineers assess the damage
Roger Black, also 74, said: 'I've never seen anything like it, the whole wall has completely come away, and part of the floor as well.
'It's a good thing it happened in the early hours otherwise it could have been a lot worse.'
Onlooker Dennis Etherson, 68, from London, who was also waiting for a coach in Mount Street, said: 'You just can't work out how it's happened.
'We're all discussing it but none of the suggestions make much sense. It's just strange how much of it has come away. I hope they have a full investigation into this.'
A spokesman for NCP said: 'An incident has occurred during the night at our Nottingham City car park, where a part of the front facia of the building has fallen and is blocking the entrance/exit of the car park.
'No one has been injured and no vehicle has been damaged. The fire service and police are working with NCP and the site remains closed until it is safe to re-open.
A spokesman for NCP said: 'An incident has occurred during the night at our Nottingham City car park, where a part of the front facia of the building has fallen and is blocking the entrance/exit of the car park'
Maureen Black, 74, told the Nottingham Post: 'If someone had been standing there next to one of the cars it could have been fatal. It's a long way to fall'
There were no injuries or vehicles damaged as a result of the incident
The damage from the collapse of the car park is shown with a large chunk of concrete that fell from the wall
Onlooker Dennis Etherson, 68, from London, who was also waiting for a coach in Mount Street, said: 'You just can't work out how it's happened'
'We apologise profusely for any inconvenience this has caused to our customers parked with us, and to customers arriving to park with us today.
'We have staff on site who are communicating and helping any customers who have cars inside the building.
'We have structural engineers on site also and are working with the relevant parties to make sure that the car park will re-open only when it is safe to do so.'
There were no injuries or vehicles damaged as a result of the incident.
Aug 19, 2017
KM
https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/major-fires-destroy-multiple-brandon-bu...
Major fires destroy multiple Brandon buildings
Firefighters try to put out a blaze at Christie's Office Plus. (Source: Kaileea Marie Graham)
Destructive fires have hit a historic block of Brandon based businesses near 7th and Pacific Avenue Saturday afternoon.
Flames could be seen bursting through the buildings as clouds of smoke covered the sky over Brandon.
Christie’s Office Plus, a local beer vendor and nightclub have burned down. Two other buildings caught fire.
A spokesperson with the city of Brandon says the initial fire broke out at Christie’s Office Plus around the noon hour and embers spread across the street to a multi-floor apartment complex called Massey Manor, an old warehouse that was converted into a 58-unit affordable housing complex.
The Red Cross is helping anyone who is displaced find housing for the meantime.
The spokesperson with the City of Brandon said embers drifted further and started a fire at a beer vendor and vacant dance club that’s connected to a downtown hotel. The Hotel on that property was still standing.
The spokesperson also said a supply store called Collyers is also involved.
The challenges for Brandon Fire and Emergency services extended past just the fires they’re fighting.
“Resources, pumps, staff, hose lines all those kinds of things, it’s a matter of trying to coordinate it all and at four different locations,” said Brandon Fire and Emergency Services Chief Brent Dane
The fire is one of the biggest in modern history to hit Brandon and one that required help from neighbouring cities.
“First time in our history that we’ve had to call in mutual aid, we had departments from Souris, Wawanesa, Carberry, CFB Shilo come and help us,” said Dane.
The area has been a staple in the city of Brandon for a long time, and some are sensing the loss in their community.
“For me, Christie’s has been a part of Brandon for as long as I know It’s heartbreaking, you know everyone who works there, it’s devastating to see it all gone,” said Kaileea Marie Graham, a local resident. “There’s nothing left. Everyone there is in shock, they’re confused – how did it happen, why did it happen – how did it go down so quickly. We’re all shocked.”
The causes of the fires are unknown at this point.
May 20, 2018
Juan F Martinez
Commercial Plaza in Mexico City collapses for no apparent reason.
https://expansion.mx/nacional/2018/07/12/se-derrumba-una-parte-de-l...
Jul 12, 2018
Starr DiGiacomo
https://metro.co.uk/2018/07/16/terraced-house-collapses-suddenly-du...
Redditch, England
Terraced house collapses suddenly during huge renovation project
Monday 16 Jul 2018 1:56 pm
Residents were evacuated from their homes as a house collapsed without warning in the middle of the night.
Fire, police and ambulance crews rushed to Mount Pleasant Road, in Redditch, Worcestershire, after the terraced home was reduced to rubble.
It remained closed throughout Sunday following the sudden collapse shortly after midnight.
Miraculously, nobody was injured during the accident which resulted in residents being escorted from their homes as well as workers from nearby shops.
The cause of the damage is not yet known but construction work is believed to have been taking place at the back of the house
A rescue dog was sent to check the rubble for anyone who might have been stuck, but thankfully nobody was home at the time of the collapse.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson said: ‘We were called at 12.11am. We sent an ambulance , a paramedic officer and the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART).’
‘We were called to reports of a building collapsed. On arrival we were told that all the occupants were out of the building.
‘HART stood by to provide medical cover while the fire service continued their work, checking over the collapsed building to ensure there were no occupants left inside.’
Experts investigated the cause of the collapse to ensure there will be no further damage the building.
A structural engineer and gas workers also worked to ensure the scene was safe while residents were offered alternative accommodation.
Jul 17, 2018
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.ndtv.com/noida-news/6-storey-under-construction-buildin...
3 Dead After 6-Storey Building Falls On Another Near Delhi, Many Trapped
A team of the National Disaster Response Force has been called in from neighbouring Ghaziabad to help in the search and rescue operations.
Updated: July 18, 2018 07:04 IST
New Delhi Two buildings collapsed in Greater Noida near Delhi on Tuesday as a six-storey under-construction building fell on top of a four-storey next to it. 18 families lived in the four-storey building in the Shah Beri village, according to reports. Two dead bodies have been recovered by the National Disaster Response Force or NDRF so far. Many are feared trapped.
The National Disaster Response Force or NDRF was called in from neighbouring Ghaziabad to help in the search and rescue operations, along with hundreds of policemen, who are trying to control the crowd.
The crowd, agitated, says the buildings collapsed around 8:30 pm but help only reached an hour and a half later. A local, Praveen Srivastava, blamed unscrupulous builders for the collapse, and said the rescue efforts have been slow. A look out notice has been issued against the builder.
"It took such a long time since the collapse but no rescue workers have reached. Not even an ambulance", he said.
Getting to the area is proving to be exceptionally difficult as the entire stretch is dug up and due to the monsoon, potholes are water-logged.
Heavy machinery has been brought in to clear the debris. Drilling machines are being used to remove metal rods so that the debris can be cleared and the people trapped be reached
A video showed a policeman dangling from a crane, trying to locate those trapped through the windows of the building.
Locals say this area in Greater Noida west has a lot of small builders, who have constructed multiple 10-12-story buildings.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath taking stock of the incident, asked the District Magistrate to follow up with the NDRF team and the police for relief measures and to ensure immediate rescue
Jul 18, 2018
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/one-killed-eight-injured-in...
One killed, eight injured in building collapse in Thane
The three-storey building, located in Khoni area, had developed cracks and one its walls collapsed yesterday afternoon following which its 22 occupants were evacuated, Thane's regional disaster management cell chief Santosh Kadam said.
A 25-year-old woman was killed and eight others, including two children, were injured when a portion of a building collapsed on an adjoining chawl in Bhiwandi town near here, an official said today.
The three-storey building, located in Khoni area, had developed cracks and one its walls collapsed yesterday afternoon following which its 22 occupants were evacuated, Thane's regional disaster management cell chief Santosh Kadam said.
Around 8.30 pm yesterday, a portion of the seven-year- old building crashed on a chawl (old style tenements) located next to it, trapping its residents.
A woman, Khairunnisa Shaikh, residing in the chawl died in the mishap while eight others sustained injuries, Kadam said.
The civic, fire brigade and local police officials rushed to the spot and carried out the rescue operation.
The work to clear the debris continued during the night and was still underway, Kadam said.
The injured people, including two children aged 2 and 9 years, have been admitted to the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Bhiwandi, an official said.
The police have registered a case in connection with the incident, he added.Jul 26, 2018
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/watch-road-caves-in-near-delh...
Watch: Road caves in near Delhi after heavy rains in NCR
A road in NCR's Ghaziabad caved in today after heavy rains lashed parts of the national Capital.
The road outside Vartalok Apartment in Ghaziabad's Vasundhara area caved in, leaving a gaping hole on it.
The residents of the one of the apartments in the Vartalok Society have been asked to vacate after the road caved in.
Heavy rains lashed Delhi and the National Capital Region today morning. Weather officials predicted more spells of rain throughout the day.
"The sky will remain generally cloudy throughout the day. There may be spells of light to moderate rain in most parts of the city," an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official said.
It was a heavily cloudy morning. The rain started at around 7 am and several parts of the city were waterlogged.
Jul 27, 2018
Juan F Martinez
Horrific road collapse swallows cars in Istanbul
July 30, 2018 http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/video/horrific-road-collapse-swallows-ca...
Cars damaged as retaining wall collapses in Istanbul
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/photo-cars-damaged-as-retaining-wa...
Jul 31, 2018
Starr DiGiacomo
Dramatic road collapse in Lac-Brome swallows cars, leads to rescue of trapped woman
Firefighter and victim teamed up to save an injured woman who was stuck in her upturned vehicle
Blinded by heavy rain, a woman in her 70s was driving on a rural road in Quebec's Eastern Townships at around 3:30 a.m. Thursday when her vehicle suddenly plummeted some three and half metres, landed on its roof and caught fire.
Moments later, a second vehicle crashed on top of hers.
The driver of that second vehicle, 23-year-old Shawn Turcotte, would become her rescuer — teaming up with a part-time firefighter to extract her from the bottom of a watery road washout, estimated to be about six metres wide.
The incident took place in Lac-Brome, not far from the Ski Bromont resort on Fulford Road, between Papineau and Brome roads, about 100 kilometres east of Montreal.
Turcotte had to quickly abandon his vehicle and everything in it, including his cell phone. Full of adrenalin and knowing a woman was trapped in the wreckage, he managed to pull himself out of the trench and sprint 800 metres to his home.
He woke his parents and called 911. Together, the family returned to the scene to help the woman.
Turcotte's mother, Cindy Lagacé, said her husband tried to climb down, but it was too slippery.
Luckily, part-time firefighter Sébastien Boucher, who lives nearby, responded to the call in his personal vehicle.
However, he didn't have any rescue equipment.
After assessing the situation, Boucher quickly returned home to retrieve a ladder and flashlight. Working with Turcotte, the two were able to extract the woman from her vehicle and pull her to safety.
"It wasn't easy with the water and the instability of the vehicle," Boucher told Radio-Canada. "When we climbed back up, the police, firefighters and ambulances arrived."
The fire was put out by the water in the ditch and the rain that was falling at the time.
"When we look at the photos after, we can't believe everybody was saved, but thank goodness."
Doing anything to help
Going to great lengths to help each other is common practice in Lac-Brome, says Lee Patterson, a born-and-raised resident of Lac-Brome and town councillor.
"We're a tight knit community — everybody knows everybody — and the people are eager to help out when they can," he said.
"They stayed cool and were able to help out and bring the victim to safety."
Quebec provincial police spokesperson Sgt. Aurélie Guindon said both drivers were transported to hospital.
The road was closed to drivers early Thursday with municipal workers on site to ensure no other vehicles end up in the same position, Guindon said.
"We are talking about a roadway that is completely ruined its entire width," she said.
Two severe thunderstorms in under 90 minutes
The road's drainage ditch flooded due to heavy precipitation, splitting the street in two and opening a crevasse that the drivers were not able to see due to the heavy rain and dark of night.
Patterson said there wasn't much water in the drainage ditch the day before, but that quickly changed when severe thunderstorms hit the area.
Environment Canada meteorologist Steve Boily said at least two severe thunderstorms moved through, dropping between 60 and 80 millimetres of rain in under 90 minutes.
Aug 10, 2018
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/13-People-Escape-From-Ph...
13 People Forced to Evacuate Homes After Philadelphia House Collapse
By NBC10 Staff
Published at 6:53 AM EDT on Sep 9, 2018
A house collapsed Sunday around 6 a.m. in the Mantua neighborhood of Philadelphia, sending neighbors fleeing from their homes into the early morning rain, officials said.
No one was home when the house crumbled. Neighbors told NBC10 the owner was likely at work. Meanwhile, framed photographs and paintings could be seen hanging from the exposed walls.
Officials also checked on two adjoining properties for injured residents and potential damage. First responders told NBC10 that 13 people fled from two of the neighboring houses, located on the 3900 block of Aspen Street.
"It's just terrible. I've never seen anything like that," neighbor Connie Lawhorn said. "Thank God that nobody was at home."
Lawhorn didn't hear any loud noises when the house collapsed, but neighbor Crystal Nelson told NBC10 she heard a loud boom and thought a tree had fallen.
"You would not believe that something like this can happen," she said.
No injuries were reported
Sep 10, 2018
Starr DiGiacomo
https://wnep.com/2018/09/19/two-cars-crushed-during-building-collap...
Seven Hurt in Building Collapse in Berwick
https://twitter.com/cblackburne/status/1042507432856039424?ref_src=...
BERWICK, Pa. -- Seven people were sent to the hospital after the roof of a vacant building came tumbling down in Berwick.
Firefighters said no one was inside the building on Second Street when it started falling apart around 3 p.m. Wednesday, but people on the sidewalk and sitting in their cars were hurt in the wreck.
Amber Soboleski saw it all from across the street and immediately called 911.
“You couldn't see two feet in front of you but you could hear a woman screaming. It was terrifying,” Soboleski said.
That woman was screaming for help. The passenger in her Dodge Durango was trapped but firefighters were able to rescue her.
The chief of the Berwick Fire Department was even stunned when he saw the damage.
“Nothing like this. This is the first time in 30 years I’ve seen something like this,” Fire chief Randy Remphrey said.
Fire officials said a vape shop near the corner of the building has been closed since Saturday because of water damage, so officials are looking to see if weather played a role in the roof collapse too.
“With the number of storms we've had over the summer - it definitely could have been a contributing factor,” Jon Pruitt of Berwick said.
Pruitt lives just down the street. He said the plume of dust from the collapse was higher than some buildings.
“It's scary. A lot of these buildings have been here for 75-100 years if not more,” Pruitt said.
Firefighters said they will be bringing in a crane Thursday morning to take a better a look at the building and figure out the cause of the collapse.
Parts of Second Street and Market Street in Berwick will be closed as a result.
Sep 22, 2018
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/delhi-five-dead-i...
Delhi: Five dead in Ashok Vihar building collapse
September 26 2018
Sep 28, 2018
Starr DiGiacomo
https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/thyagarajan...
Thyagarajanagar building collapse kills 22-year-old
Bangalore Mirror Bureau | Updated: Nov 11, 2018, 09:56 IST
Rescue work was underway till late in the night
Six families in the adjacent building have been evacuated as a precautionary measure
A 22-year-old youth died after he was trapped underneath a partially collapsed residential building on Ist main Sai Mandir Road near Sai Baba temple in Thyagarajanagar late Saturday evening.
The construction of ground plus four floored building was almost complete, but a major disaster was averted since it was unoccupied. Two workers, including the victim, identified as Sohail, was present at the site when the incident took place.
They were doing some welding work outside the building and Sohail was asked to go into the basement to switch off the machine when the building caved in. A huge pit had been dug in the tiny plot adjacent to this almost completed residential structure to make one more building which is being suspected to be the reason for the ground to cave in bringing the building down. The building at present is leaning on to another ground plus three storeyed structure adjacent to it.
A major disaster was averted as there were no workers inside the collapsed building and none of the occupants of the adjacent building were also hurt in the mishap. As many as six families living in the adjacent building have been evacuated as a precautionary measure till the collapsed building is removed. “We have spotted Sohail’s body but it is caught between a pillar and since the entire building at the moment is leaning on to the adjacent structure, we will have to carefully retrieve it,” said a rescue personnel.
As many as 50 firemen and 35 members from both state and national disaster response force were engaged in rescue and clearance work at the time of going to press. “It is suspected that the mishap was caused when an attempt to construct one more building in the vacant plot next to the building. We have to check of necessary permissions from taken,” said an official. Initially it was suspected that there were four people trapped under the debris but later rescue personnel claimed that there was only one person trapped under it.
Nov 12, 2018
Starr DiGiacomo
https://24-my.info/in-russia-residential-building-collapsed-ceiling/
In Russia, residential building collapsed ceiling
Sunday, January 27th, 2019
KIEV. 27 Jan. UNN. In the Russian city of PERMI in one of the houses collapsed overlap between the roof and technical floor. About it reports GU Ministry of emergency situations of Russia for the Perm region, reports UNN.
“On 27 January at 15:15 received a message about the collapse of the ceiling between the roof and technical floor in odnopodezdny 14-storey apartment building at the address: Perm, street of Revolution, 3/1. The destruction of the apartments at the same time was not” – ydetsya in the message.
At the moment, the evacuated residents of the house.
The cause of the collapse of the ceiling established by experts. According to preliminary data of the threat of collapse at home.
According to the revised data evacuated about 150 people, including 31 children and 2 disabled people. Victims of incident no.
We will remind, in the city of Dnepr, during a repair in one of apartments fell a part of interior concrete walls in one of the two men and pinned his leg.
Jan 29, 2019
Starr DiGiacomo
https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/collapse-at-peruvian-hotel-kills-15-am...
Collapse at Peruvian hotel kills 15 amid wedding celebration
Published Sunday, January 27, 2019 10:56AM EST
Last Updated Sunday, January 27, 2019 12:32PM EST
LIMA, Peru -- A hotel wall collapsed during a wedding celebration in Peru, killing at least 15 people on Sunday, authorities said.
National civil defence chief Jorge Chavez said dozens of people who had been dancing were caught under the collapsing wall and a roof early Sunday at the Alhambra hotel in the Andean city of Abancay in southern Peru. He told RPP radio that at least 30 people had been pulled from the debris with injuries and were being treated at a nearby hospital.
The local civil defence head, Rusby Zela, said the city had been battered by five days of rains, and she said that led to the collapse.
Jan 29, 2019