GAZA, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- At least eight Palestinians were killed and over 15 others injured early Wednesday when a war-damaged residential building collapsed in Gaza City, according to local medical sources.
The building collapsed at around 2:15 a.m. local time (2315 GMT Tuesday) on Al-Sinaa Street in the southwest of Gaza City, the sources said. Most of the residents had been displaced from their homes during the war.
In a press statement, the Palestinian Civil Defense said its rescue teams were searching for people trapped under the rubble.
More than 60 people were believed to be missing or trapped beneath the collapsed building, and the injured were taken to Al-Shifa Hospital for treatment, it said.
The civil defense said rescue operations were hampered by a lack of heavy equipment needed to remove the rubble and reach those trapped underneath.
Local eyewitnesses said the building had been damaged during the war but was still being used by displaced families who had lost their homes. Several other displaced families were staying in tents near the building.
Residents said the building collapsed suddenly while most of the families were asleep.
The collapse came as many displaced Palestinians in the Gaza Strip continue to live in damaged buildings, tents and other temporary shelters. ■
