Gaza’s Civil Defence said Wednesday that the death toll from the collapse of a building sheltering displaced Palestinians in Gaza City has risen to 14, including five children.
The Civil Defence reported that the building collapsed early and people were trapped under the rubble. Rescuers kept searching the wreckage for survivors and bodies.
Rescuers were still trying to reach people feared trapped under the building. Earlier reports said 11 people, including five children, died.
The incident underscores the dangers for displaced Palestinians in damaged buildings throughout Gaza, where many structures have been weakened during the war. A recent report said thousands of damaged buildings are still occupied as shelter options are limited.
Civil Defence teams have repeatedly advised residents to stay away from badly damaged buildings due to the risk of further collapses.
Rescue operations in Gaza have also been hampered by a lack of heavy machinery and other equipment, humanitarian officials say. Rescuers had to clear rubble by hand in some cases in the search for survivors.
