At least 12 dead, 21 injured in Cameroon building collapse

The collapse occurred around 1:00 am (0000 GMT) in the northern part of the city, according to local sources.

Firefighters and local authorities responded to the scene immediately, initiating search and rescue operations to locate survivors trapped under the debris.

As of Monday morning, 13 patients have been admitted to Douala's Laquintinie hospital, with two fatalities reported, including a three-year-old girl and a 19-year-old woman. Additionally, emergency pediatric care is being provided to three other injured children.

The cause of the collapse is still under investigation, but authorities have said that it may have been due to poor building materials or construction practices.

 This incident has once again raised concerns about building safety in Douala, where similar tragedies have occurred in the past. In 2016, a five-story building collapsed in the city, killing five people.

Authorities have urged residents to be vigilant and to report any concerns about the safety of their buildings to the appropriate authorities. They have also said that they will be conducting inspections of buildings in the area to ensure that they are safe. (ILKHA)