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CNN Live Saturday

Investigation to Intensify in Wedding Hall Collapse in Jerusalem

Aired May 26, 2001 - 13:11   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.
DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: Overseas, rescue workers have ended the search for more bodies in the collapse of a wedding hall in Jerusalem. CNN's Ben Wedeman is joining us with the latest from there -- Ben.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Members of the search and rescue team carry away their gear. Their job is done.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We stopped because we have all the indications that there are no people in the building.

WEDEMAN: Another reason for calling a halt: the danger that debris could come crashing down on the workers. For two days, they worked feverishly around the clock searching for survivors or victims from Israel's worst civil disaster.

The final death toll: 23, more than 100 people remain in hospital.

(on camera): With the search and rescue effort now over, investigation is set to intensify.

(voice-over): All leads point to shoddy construction as the principal cause for the disaster. Israeli police have arrested 10 people, including the building's owners and the contractor who carried out renovations three months ago. During those renovations, contractors reportedly removed critical support columns and walls.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has scheduled a special cabinet meeting to discuss the building's collapse, in the hopes that this type of tragedy could be avoided in the future.

Ben Wedeman, CNN, Jerusalem.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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