At least 14 Palestinians, including five children, were killed when a residential building bearing the scars of war collapsed in Gaza City.

Another 14 people were injured, while around 100 people are believed to be trapped beneath the rubble, according to the Palestinian Civil Defense.

The Palestinian Civil Defense said on Wednesday (September 16) that a seven-storey residential building in Gaza City collapsed during the night, killing at least 14 people.

Following the incident, rescue workers began clearing the rubble in an effort to reach those trapped underneath. Local residents also joined the rescue operation.

Sounds of children crying for help could be heard from beneath the rubble, according to eyewitness accounts and verified videos.

Videos showed rescue workers removing debris and pulling children from the wreckage. One video showed a young girl being rescued alive. Several others were also seen emerging from the rubble, including young children. Some appeared to be suffering from breathing difficulties and were later taken away by ambulance.

Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for Gaza Civil Defense, said Civil Defense teams were still working to recover the bodies of those killed and search for missing people beneath the rubble. He said around 100 Palestinians remained trapped under the collapsed building.

He said the rescue operation had become extremely difficult. The lack of necessary equipment was making it difficult for rescuers to reach people trapped beneath the rubble.

According to local media reports, the building had previously been damaged in an Israeli bombing. The strike reportedly caused cracks in the structure and weakened the building, which later collapsed.

Mahmoud Basal said many Palestinians were being forced to stay in unsafe buildings that posed a threat to their lives because they had nowhere else to go due to a lack of shelters or suitable tents.

He added that strict restrictions on the entry of heavy equipment needed to safely clear rubble and conduct rescue operations were also hampering the Civil Defense. As a result, rescuers often have to remove rubble by hand to reach people trapped underneath, further slowing emergency rescue efforts.

Source: Al Jazeera