No people found under rubble - KFSD holds contractor responsible

KUWAIT: Security and rescue vehicles and personnel are seen at the site of a building collapse yesterday. - KUNA

KUWAIT: A nine-storey building collapsed during its demolition in Mahboula yesterday, causing damage to five vehicles, the Kuwait Fire Service Directorate (KFSD) said. No people were found under the rubble during the search operation that started immediately after firefighters and rescue teams from three different fire stations arrived at the scene, KFSD said in a statement.

KUWAIT: A car is seen crushed under the rubble. - KUNA

The collapse caused a waste of emergency efforts due to searching under the rubble, as the contractor fled the site after the accident and there was no information about the number of people present before the demolition, KFSD's Director of Public Relations and Media Lt Col Khalil Al-Amir said. As an investigation was opened to determine the cause of the collapse, Amir called on relevant authorities to impose maximum penalties on contractors who fail to adhere to safety and security requirements during building demolitions.

By Hanan Al-Saadoun