The municipal government confirmed on Monday that four people have suffered injuries thus far, while witnesses speaking to local media expressed concerns about additional individuals still trapped, including both residents and customers of a supermarket located within the building.

According to Major General Mohamed El Sherif, the governor of Alexandria, all occupants of the ill-fated building were temporary visitors to the city, enjoying their summer holidays. The structure, which traces its roots back to the 1970s, had been earmarked for demolition several months prior, as disclosed by El Sherif.

In response to the tragic incident, authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation to ascertain the precise cause of the building's collapse. Rescue teams have been diligently working at the scene, tirelessly sifting through the rubble in a bid to locate and free any potential survivors.

Conflicting reports have emerged regarding the number of injuries, with El Sherif stating that only one person has officially been reported injured thus far, despite witness testimonies and conflicting information from the municipal government.

The municipal authorities have promptly announced that the four injured individuals have been swiftly transported to a nearby hospital via ambulance.

An initial police report attributes the building's catastrophic collapse to a "vertical split" within its structure, shedding initial light on the possible cause. (ILKHA)