JEDDAH, May 29 (Arab News): A four-story building on Al-Madaris Street in the eastern Sharafiyyah district collapsed on Friday, killing two women, the Civil Defense has confirmed.

Acting Civil Defense spokesman Capt. Abdul Rahman Al-Ghamdi told Arab News that the search was still continuing for survivors.

He said four rescue teams from the Civil Defense, a fire brigade and two ambulance teams in addition to other support staff were involved in the search operation.

The spokesman said the collapse covered an area of 12 square meters. The entire public building has an area of 150 square meters. He said the collapse started from a room in the fourth floor and continued to the ground floor.

The two women who died in the collapse were both Somalis. The spokesman said 30 families were evacuated from the building. He added that residents of neighboring buildings were asked to leave their homes.

Muhammad Bajubair, director of emergency at the Health Directorate in Jeddah, said since the number of dilapidated buildings in the city was on the increase, building owners should avoid renting out their accommodation, even if it is to illegal workers looking for cheap accommodation.

Bajubair also called on landlords to implement safety measures in their properties, particularly in poor districts.

Jeddah acting Civil Defense director Col. Muhammad Al-Shaabani said the owner of the collapsed building would be summoned for questioning.

He added that the municipality would also determine whether the property was to be included in the list of structures to be demolished.

Six Somali children died earlier this month when a building caved in due to water accumulating on its rooftop in Al-Sahifah District near Bab Makkah.