Brave Young Girl Saves Lives in Partial Building Collapse in Algeria
A young girl in Algiers demonstrated remarkable bravery on Saturday morning by alerting residents to a potential disaster, saving dozens of lives as part of an old building on Rue Rabah Messaoud in the El-Harrach district collapsed.
* Incident Details
Four floors on one side of the building collapsed, resulting in one injury. The injured individual was transported to Mustapha Pacha University Hospital for treatment, while survivors and 27 others from nearby buildings received precautionary care.
Residents confirmed that their escape was made possible by the girl’s warning, who noticed something unusual and alerted them to the impending danger, allowing them to flee in time.
* Possible Causes of the Collapse
City officials in Algiers indicated that excavation work approximately four meters deep near the building may have contributed to the incident, pending a technical report from the construction oversight center.
The building had been restored last year as part of a program aimed at renovating old structures in the city.
* Risks of Aging Buildings in the Capital
Djamal Cherfi, an international urban planning expert and president of the Arab Council for Architecture and Urban Development, noted that most buildings in Algiers are old and have significantly deteriorated since independence, primarily due to a lack of maintenance and the absence of traditional caretakers responsible for preserving the buildings and their facilities.
He explained that renovation efforts initiated in 2013 encompassed about 18,000 buildings, necessitating temporary housing for nearly one million residents during the renovation period.
* Proposed Solutions
Cherfi proposed the establishment of a specialized agency with funding dedicated to renovating dilapidated and historically significant buildings, similar to the national agency for urban development, which has yet to be implemented. He emphasized that solutions should be practical and technical, free from political influence.
* Future Vision for the City
Civil engineer Said Zaitane highlighted that the architectural diversity in the capital, which includes Ottoman, colonial, and post-independence styles, contributes to its beauty. He stressed that the collapse of such buildings underscores the need for long-term urban development strategies that consider the city’s identity rather than solely focusing on traditional renovations.
He added that the incident reveals the dangers posed when property developers prioritize commercial interests over the architectural identity of the capital.
The young girl who warned residents prevented a humanitarian disaster and has become a symbol of courage and vigilance in the face of architectural hazards, resonating with many Algerians on social media.
