At least 5 killed as residential building collapses in N. Lebanon

BEIRUT -- At least five people were killed when a residential building collapsed on Sunday in northern Lebanon's city of Tripoli, local TV channel Al-Jadeed reported.

The incident in the Tebbaneh area sent thick clouds of dust into the air, and sparked panic among residents, Al-Jadeed reported, adding that emergency teams have rescued four people, and that search operations continue.

After being briefed on the developments of the incident, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun urged the full mobilization of all emergency services to carry out rescue operations and provide shelters for those living in and around the collapsed building.

Tripoli, the second-largest city in Lebanon, has witnessed a series of building collapses recently. Local officials said previously that 105 buildings in the city require immediate evacuation due to structural danger, and some 700 others need urgent intervention to prevent collapse.