Gaza: The Civil Defense Directorate in the Gaza Strip announced on Wednesday that the death toll and number of missing persons have risen following the collapse of a building housing displaced people in the Industrial District. They indicated that more than 50 children are trapped under the rubble.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Civil Defense spokesman Mahmoud Basal stated in a press release: “The death toll and number of missing persons have increased due to the collapse of a building housing displaced people in the Industrial District of Gaza. We can hear the voices of people trapped under the rubble, and our teams are trying to reach them.”

He added, “There are more than 50 children trapped under the rubble of the collapsed building,” emphasizing that “our teams are still working to recover victims.”

The spokesman expressed his concern about a repeat of today’s tragedy, given the large number of dilapidated buildings, explaining that “the Strip is currently going through a dangerous and critical phase.” He confirmed that “the number of buildings at risk of collapse in the Gaza Strip is approximately 2,000.”