**Eight injured in Iowa apartment collapse as rescue efforts continue**
A shocking building collapse in Davenport, Iowa has left at least eight people injured, with emergency crews still searching for others who may be trapped. The six-story apartment building partially fell on Sunday, causing panic among residents as it remains unclear if any fatalities have occurred.
The catastrophic scene unfolded shortly before 5 p.m. As first responders arrived, they worked tirelessly to rescue eight people and escort over a dozen more to safety. Davenport Fire Chief Mike Carlsten noted that the cause of the collapse is still under investigation, but a large natural gas leak and water leakage from a broken pipe have been discovered. The collapse raised serious concerns about the safety of nearby structures and the wellbeing of rescue crews, as debris continued to fall.
With support from Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, search efforts to locate and rescue trapped residents continue. However, some families are left shattered and in despair. One tenant, Lexus Berry, barely managed to leave the building as it fell, but her wife was still trapped inside. Berry explained that they had noticed structural issues in their apartment just days prior and were attempting to escape when the tragedy occurred.
The building’s owner had reportedly obtained permits for structural repair work, with nearly 20 permits filed in 2022 for various maintenance issues, such as plumbing and electrical problems. Davenport’s Director of Development and Neighborhood Services, Rich Oswald, confirmed that brickwork was being done on the building’s exterior at the time of the collapse. The city has received numerous complaints from tenants about the building needing repairs, and orders had been issued demanding the owner fix the issues.
**Calling for accountability in a time of tragedy**
This devastating collapse in Davenport serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of undermaintaining and neglecting necessary repairs to our buildings. It highlights the pressing need for building owners and city officials to take swift and appropriate action to ensure the safety of residents. In this time of crisis, we must keep those affected in our thoughts and pray for the safe recovery of those still trapped, while also calling for accountability to help prevent future disasters.
