TEHRAN, May 26 (NNN-IRNA) – The death toll in a 10-story commercial building collapse, in south-western Iran, has risen to 16.
The incident, which took place on Monday, in the city of Abadan, has also injured another 38 people, so far.
Operations with the participation of 2,000 people are still underway, to remove the debris in search of those still trapped beneath the rubble, according to report.
The Iranian Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, sent a team of experts to the site of the incident, to investigate the cause, which is believed to be a failure to observe technical and engineering standards, during the construction process, it added.
Mojtaba Khaledi, spokesman of Iran’s emergency services, said, it is estimated that 50 people were still trapped under the debris.
The collapse shook nearby buildings severely. After the incident on Monday, the building was evacuated completely and the main street leading to it was blocked by police, as part of safety measures.
Ten people have been arrested for the incident, in which the building’s owner and contractor were killed, the Mizan news agency of the Iranian judiciary reported.– NNN-IRNA
The under-construction building is located in a crowded street in downtown Abadan, surrounded by commercial and medical complexes and offices.
