Building collapse kills 5, injures many in south Iran

At least five people were killed when a 10-story commercial building, still under construction, collapsed on Monday in the southwestern Iranian city of Abadan.

There were fears the casualty toll could be much higher as more than 80 people were still believed trapped under the rubble after the Metropol building toppled, burying shops and even some cars in the surrounding streets, the report said.

The report gave no reason for the collapse, which happened during a sandstorm, but the owner of the building, as well as the project manager of the construction company that built, has been arrested.

People lined up at the local blood transfusion centre to donate blood for the injured. No further information was immediately available and authorities said the incident was under investigation.