Hundreds of buildings at risk of collapse in northern Lebanon

Key Concepts

• Unsafe Buildings: Aging and poorly constructed buildings posing an immediate collapse risk.
• Tripoli, Lebanon: The city with the highest concentration of unsafe buildings in Lebanon.
• Earthquake Impact (2023): The Turkey earthquake exacerbated existing structural weaknesses in Lebanese buildings.
• Governance & Corruption: Years of mismanagement and illegal construction practices contributing to the crisis.
• Socioeconomic Factors: Poverty, unclear property ownership, and outdated rental laws hindering repairs.
• Eminent Collapse: Buildings identified as being at immediate risk of falling down.

The Crisis of Collapsing Buildings in Tripoli, Lebanon

The report focuses on the escalating crisis of building collapses in Tripoli, Lebanon’s second-largest city, particularly within its poorest districts. The situation is characterized by a high concentration of structurally unsound buildings, posing a significant threat to residents. The visible damage to aging infrastructure, coupled with evidence of unregulated and substandard construction practices, are key contributing factors. Specifically, the report highlights the use of wood as a substitute for steel in home support structures due to economic hardship, demonstrating the inability of residents to afford necessary maintenance.

Specific Cases & Personal Impact

The report features the stories of residents directly affected by the crisis. Rabia showcases the damage to his home, situated amidst rubble, representing a broader pattern of displacement and loss. Khaled exemplifies the precarious living conditions, expressing fear for his family and neighbors should his building collapse. He details how the collapse of a nearby building further destabilized his own home, leading to the appearance of cracks. These accounts underscore the human cost of the crisis, with previous incidents resulting in deaths, including those of children. Residents evacuated after nearby collapses are left with unstable homes and uncertainty.

Earthquake’s Role & Structural Weaknesses

The powerful earthquake that struck southern Turkey in 2023 significantly worsened the situation in Lebanon. While the tremor was felt across the country, it exacerbated pre-existing structural weaknesses in already vulnerable buildings. The report specifically notes that cracks, like those seen in Rabia and Khaled’s homes, became more prevalent following the earthquake. This suggests the earthquake acted as a catalyst, accelerating the deterioration of compromised structures.

Governmental Response & Public Sentiment

Local authorities have identified 105 buildings as being at imminent risk of collapse and have ordered residents to evacuate. However, a further 600 buildings are deemed unsafe, and residents report a lack of viable relocation options due to widespread poverty. This highlights a critical gap between identifying the problem and providing solutions. Public sentiment is overwhelmingly critical of the government, with residents expressing a sense of abandonment and accusing authorities of failing to protect them. A resident’s statement, “I tell the Libanese people, live in dignity. don't support politicians who deprive us of everything,” encapsulates this frustration and calls for accountability.

Underlying Issues: Governance, Economics & Legal Frameworks

The report identifies several interconnected underlying issues contributing to the crisis. Years of “bad governance” are blamed for enabling widespread illegal construction that compromised safety standards. Financial constraints are a major obstacle, with building owners lacking funds for repairs and tenants paying low rents due to outdated rental laws. The issue of “unclear property ownership” further complicates matters, hindering efforts to secure funding and implement necessary renovations. These factors create a complex web of challenges that exacerbate the risk of further collapses.

Geographic Concentration & Future Outlook

While the problem of unsafe buildings exists throughout Lebanon, Tripoli has the highest concentration. The report concludes with a somber outlook, suggesting that Rabia is “unlikely to be the last victim,” implying the crisis is far from over and requires urgent, comprehensive intervention. Zaner Al Jazzer reports from Tripoli, Northern Lebanon, emphasizing the localized severity of the situation.