Return to Transcripts main page

American Morning

Building Collapse: Search-and-Rescue Operation Under Way in Israel

Aired May 25, 2001 - 09:01   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.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: But first, the latest on the search- and-rescue operation at the site of the collapsed reception hall. At least 25 people now confirmed dead, more than 250 people injured.

For the latest, we turn to CNN's Ben Wedeman, live, on the scene.

Hello, Ben.

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Miles, the building collapsed 17 hours ago but the search continues to be quite intense. As you can see behind me, they're still working, still digging away trying to find signs of life in the ruins.

Also what they're doing is bringing in some heavy steal reinforcement bars to try to shore up the structure of this building. Working inside can be very dangerous. As you may be able to see, there are large slabs of concrete hanging over the heads of the rescue workers. This building, we are told by Israeli officials, is still very unstable. They still have not been able to go to the upper floors to work to look for survivors.

Now they're focusing in the heart on the inside of the building. It's been several hours since they've found any dead bodies and even more hours since anyone has emerged from the rubble alive. Also, within an hour or so, we're expecting Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to come here to inspect the damage on a day when Israel has had multiple shocks - Miles.

O'BRIEN: Ben, any indication as to what the root causes might have been here on this?

WEDEMAN: It's still early to say, but what Israeli officials have done is ruled out the possibility that it was some sort of attack or bomb. They believe that there are two possible causes maybe directly connected. One is that this building appears to have been constructed with somewhat substandard equipment, rather, material. And also, there were just too many people in the building. At the time of the collapse, more than 600 people were on the top floor of the building at this wedding celebration and that, apparently, was just too much weight for this building to stand - Miles.

O'BRIEN: Ben, do you have the sense that the search-and-rescue operation is properly equipped with people and equipment? Do they need more assistance, in other words?

WEDEMAN: Certainly that appears to be the case. At the moment, they're not using any heavy equipment to actually dig to look for survivors. The heavy equipment is just being used to remove concrete slabs and other material there. Many people are involved in the effort. But until now, no one has been pulled out since the early morning - Miles.

O'BRIEN: CNN's Ben Wedeman, live, from Israel this morning.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com