The collapse of an eleven-storey highrise in Alexandria is more evidence of the feverish and haphazard construction boom that has been sweeping across the country since the January 25 Revolution. In the absence of municipal supervision and adequate security, the pace of illegal construction has exceeded all limits and changed many old and new areas beyond recognition. But such tragedies are not unprecedented, although the number of illegal buildings collapsing could easily increase; what happened in Alexandria indicates what accidents can be expected in the near future. The unfortunate highrise stands in a very narrow lane that is not wide enough for an ambulance. It went up from one to eleven storeys in no time. The building violated so many rules and laws that it is no surprise that it collapsed in the blink of an eye. The accident has been even more disastrous because the collapse destroyed three adjacent buildings and claimed the lives of tenants and people who happened to buy bread from the bakery situated on the ground floor of the building. The official reaction to the incident was the same as under the old regime. The governor rushed to the site and asked for all the help he could get from civil defence and other forces, while the president was reportedly following the ongoing efforts while giving directives to official bodies so they could deal promptly with potential repercussions. Unless property owners, contractors and lax government employees change their ways and make the construction of illegal buildings a thing of the past, nothing will change. The law needs to be enforced; its sovereignty has unfortunately become an empty word. It has lost its effectiveness and given way to all forms of chaotic manifestations. The people themselves are paying the price.
