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CNN Saturday Morning News

Israeli Police Investigate Worst-Ever Building Collapse

Aired May 26, 2001 - 07:14   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Rescue workers in Israel today are using dogs to search for survivors of Thursday's deadly wedding hall collapse. At least 23 people were killed when the reception hall collapsed under the weight of hundreds of people attending the reception. Ten people have now been arrested in connection with the building collapse.

An amateur video shows how the festive occasion quickly turned into a horrifying nightmare.

CNN's Jim Clancy has more.

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JIM CLANCY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Celebrating what they believed would be one of the happiest days of their lives, a young bride and groom danced in the midst of a reception hall crowded with friends and loved ones.

The mood was joyous, and amateur video captured these moments for the couple. The parents were lifted up above the dancers' heads as the celebration marked their children's wedding.

Most of the young people gathered at the center of the hall, a little girl smiling and taking part in the music, the color, and the dancing. No one could anticipate the tragedy.

The very center of the floor gave way. Screams and shouts of anguish echoed through the hall in chaos, shock, and fear.

Investigators are focusing their probe of Israel's worst-ever building collapse on shoddy construction techniques.

Jim Clancy, CNN.

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