The Lebanese Civil Defense announced that, as of early Saturday morning, the search and rescue operations conducted by specialized civil defense teams at the building that collapsed in Al-Mansouriya have ended. Four living individuals were rescued, and eight bodies were recovered, including that of a foreign domestic worker.
The Civil Defense Directorate stated: "As we extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to the injured, we clarify to the public the following:
First: From the moment Block D of the Yazbek residential complex in Al-Mansouriya collapsed, specialized search and rescue teams from the civil defense sprang into action to save those trapped under the rubble, under the direct supervision and field support of the Director General of the Civil Defense, Brigadier Raymond Khattar, and with close monitoring from the Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Bassam Mawlawi, who was present to assess the situation immediately after the disaster occurred.
Second: From the very beginning of the civil defense operation, the efforts of the rotating specialized teams over five days focused on avoiding the use of heavy machinery to prevent additional parts of the building from collapsing, which could jeopardize the chances of rescuing trapped individuals alive. Advanced rescue equipment was employed, such as thermal cameras, auditory monitoring devices, and cameras that can be inserted into narrow areas to reach the missing without causing damage to neighboring buildings that were also damaged. This approach necessitated several days to complete the task, ensuring the safety of the rescuers and public safety.
Third: The individuals who participated in the rescue operations are trained and highly efficient in performing such operations. The Director General of the Civil Defense ensured their recruitment from various centers across Lebanon to participate in the rescue efforts in shifts around the clock, following the directives of Khattar, who kept Mawlawi updated on the stages of the operations and relayed his instructions.
Fourth: In accordance with the Director General’s instructions, Civil Defense personnel will continue to be present around the collapsed building for monitoring and rapid intervention if necessary, ensuring public safety, until the relevant authorities commence debris removal and restoration works in accordance with legal protocols."
The statement concluded: "The General Directorate of Civil Defense commends the bravery and dedication of its personnel, understands the anxiety of all during such a disaster, and acknowledges the extended time taken for operations; however, it is not willing to endanger any remaining individuals alive under the rubble or the rescue personnel."
