Six missing in Guinea building collapse

Six people are missing after an apartment block under construction in the Guinean capital Conakry collapsed, a local official and a worker on the site said on Tuesday.

The building, located in the southern suburb of Matoto, collapsed on Monday afternoon, burying five workers and a child, they told AFP.

“The building was part of a social housing project launched by the government to house public-sector workers,” the official said.

The collapse happened as workers were starting to add the building’s sixth floor, the worker said.

“None of the trapped people are responding to calls from rescue teams but we remain hopeful of a miracle,” he said.

Building collapses are a frequent event in the West African state. Kickbacks by owners to sidestep construction standards and inspections are among the suspected causes.