A five-story residential building in Tripoli, Lebanon, collapsed without warning on February 10, 2026, killing at least 15 people and exposing systemic risks in the country’s aging urban infrastructure. Witnesses described the structure falling “in the blink of an eye,” leaving no time for evacuation. Tripoli Mayor Abdel Hamid Karimeh confirmed 105 other buildings in the city have been flagged as high-risk, with many constructed decades ago during periods of rapid urbanization.
The Lebanese government has pledged emergency funds to reinforce vulnerable structures, though experts warn the crisis reflects broader regional challenges. Decades of economic instability and underinvestment have left thousands of buildings across Lebanon in disrepair. “This tragedy is a wake-up call,” said urban planner Rania El-Haddad. “Without coordinated action, more collapses are inevitable.”
Residents displaced by the collapse are temporarily sheltering in local schools, while search teams continue combing debris for survivors. The incident has reignited public demands for stricter construction regulations and transparent allocation of restoration funds.
