Six people missing after apartment block collapsed in Guinea

Six people are missing after an apartment block under construction in the Guinean capital Conakry collapsed, a local official and a worker on the site said on Tuesday.

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The building, located in the southern suburb of Matoto, collapsed on Monday afternoon, burying five workers and a child, they told AFP.

“The building was part of a social housing project launched by the government to house public-sector workers,” the official said.

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BUILDING COLLAPSED

The collapse happened as workers were starting to add the building’s sixth floor, the worker said.

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“None of the trapped people are responding to calls from rescue teams but we remain hopeful of a miracle,” he said.

Building collapses are a frequent event in the West African state. Kickbacks by owners to sidestep construction standards and inspections are among the suspected causes.

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© Agence France-Presse