One person has been found dead after a two-storey building collapsed in the Italian city of Messina on Thursday, while five others remain missing.
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The body is believed to be that of businessman Carmelo Leone. It was recovered by firefighters and taken to the mortuary at Messina’s university hospital.
The building housed several businesses, including a supermarket and a shop, on the ground and first floors, while the second floor contained four apartments.
Firefighters launched a search for people feared trapped beneath the rubble after relatives reported they had been unable to contact family members who had been inside the building.
The cause of the collapse remains under investigation. An initial theory that a gas explosion triggered the collapse was ruled out by Messina’s mayor. Local media reported the building shook before it fell, suggesting a possible structural failure.
Five still missing, including presumed victim’s relatives
According to the Italian news agency ANSA, the missing include the presumed victim’s two sisters, Sara and Rosa Leone, his husband, Santino Magazzù, as well as a Sri Lankan national who was with them, Lhairu Warnakulasuriya. The fifth missing person is Alessandra Frazzica, a shop assistant who was on the first floor.
Rescuers are racing against time, as the first few hours are critical for finding survivors. Firefighters are also using mobile phone signals to try to locate those still missing.
Risk of explosions complicates rescue efforts
Rescue operations are being complicated by the risk of explosions from flammable gases that may have been trapped beneath the rubble. Authorities fear the gases could ignite if exposed to oxygen.
“Until the very last moment, I thought I was going to die. I was breathing in dust and tiny particles, not air,” Davide Lambiate, one of the three people injured in the collapse, was quoted as saying by the Italian news agency ANSA.