In Tripoli’s Qobbeh neighborhood, a seven-story residential building housing 21 families is at risk of collapse due to years of neglect, worsened by the 2023 earthquakes. Despite clear signs of structural failure, deep cracks, exposed reinforcement bars, and sagging floors, the municipality has failed to take concrete action, even after issuing evacuation and repair orders over two years ago. When residents pleaded for intervention, officials stated that no action would be taken unless the case became a matter of “public concern,” effectively making residents’ safety conditional on media attention. This alarming stance not only puts lives at risk but also reflects a broader pattern of municipal negligence, as dozens of buildings across Tripoli remain structurally unsound without enforcement of safety regulations.
Read the full Field Watch in Arabic.