Four Children Killed After Building Collapses in Upper Egypt

Seven people, including four children, were killed after a three-story building collapsed in Sohag, Egypt on Tuesday.

According to state-owned MENA, the building in Nagi El-Naggar collapsed as a result of construction of an adjacent building by a neighbor. It is unclear whether the neighbor was illegally constructing the adjacent building or whether he had any construction permits.

Sohag’s governor issued EGP 5,000 in compensation to family members of the deceased as a temporary measure. A criminal investigation has also launched.

Building collapses in Egypt are common, with hundreds killed since 2000.

Egypt’s current government, with the Presidency of Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, has vowed to crackdown on illegal housing.

In January, several governorate officials were sentenced to 10 years in prison for allowing the construction of a building without meeting required safety standards after its collapse resulted in the deaths of nine people.

Along with stricter punishment, the Egyptian president has been pushing forward an agenda to end informal housing within two years.

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