Sri Lankan among several trapped under collapsed building in Lebanon

A Sri Lankan woman is among several persons trapped under the rubble following the collapse of a residential building in Lebanon, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Beirut confirmed.

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) stated, however, that measures are underway to rescue those trapped under the rubble of the five-story building which collapsed in Mansourieh on Monday afternoon (16 Oct.), with only three floors left standing.

Lebanese  media had reported that the Civil Defense, Red Cross, and Army are currently engaged in rescue operations to free individuals trapped under the debris, while two bodies were recovered late last night.

According to one of the building’s owners, the structure had shown cracks post-Beirut explosion but was promptly repaired., while Brigadier General Raymond Khattar, Director General of Lebanese Civil Defense, stated that the collapse was due to two failed columns and recent flooding.

He also mentioned that they are in constant communication with the Minister of Interior to augment rescue efforts.

Lebanese MP Razi al-Hajj had previously said he has a list with the names of six citizens and a foreign domestic worker who are still under the rubble according to his sources.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankans working in southern Lebanon have been advised to immediately register themselves with the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beirut, as deep concerns are rife about a broader regional conflict amid the escalating tensions between Israel and Lebanon on the margins of the Israel-Palestine war.

Accordingly, the following mobile numbers and the e-mail address have been introduced for this purpose:
• 70 386754 – Mr. Sanath Balasuriya, the First Secretary
• 71 960810 – Mr. Priyantha Dassanayake 
• slemb.beirut@mfa.gov.lk