The Civil Security Service director Imad Khreish confirmed that search and rescue operations have concluded following the collapse of a residential building in the Bab al-Tabaneh district of Tripoli, Lebanon. The building, made up of two six-storey sections, collapsed on Sunday, resulting in 14 confirmed deaths and the rescue of eight individuals. This tragic event highlights the deteriorating infrastructure in a city where over 70% of the population lives in poverty, as per United Nations data.

Tripoli is regarded as Lebanon's poorest city, and the conditions leading to this disaster may be attributed to years of neglect and lack of maintenance on many buildings throughout the area. The district has seen significant unrest, particularly during the Syrian uprising, which further exacerbated tensions between Sunni Muslim fighters and Alawites from the neighboring Jabal Mohsen area. The collapse raises concerns about the safety and stability of the city's infrastructure, which has suffered from both economic downturn and political instability.

Following the incident, streets in Tripoli witnessed unrest as groups of angry youths took to motorcycles, venting their frustration towards local politicians by causing damage to their offices. This incident not only underscores the immediate tragedy of loss and rescue but also points to a larger narrative of civic unrest and dissatisfaction with governance in areas ravaged by economic hardship and infrastructural decay.