Sand embankment collapse kills at least four in Deir al-Balah

A rain-soaked sand embankment collapsed onto tents sheltering displaced families in Deir al-Balah on Sunday, November 8, killing at least four people and injuring several others, according to medical and civil defence accounts. Gaza’s Civil Defence said rescue teams searched the site for survivors, while reports differed on whether the death toll had reached five.

Medics cited in one account reported that a woman and three children died and six people were injured. Another account, citing Palestinian Civil Defence, reported five deaths, including three children and two women, and said at least five people were rescued with injuries. Gaza authorities also reported two people missing as searches continued. A final casualty count was not established in the reports.

The collapse occurred during heavy rain and strong winds that swept across the territory over the weekend. The Government Media Office said about 70,000 tents were flooded during the storm’s first hours. The figure is an estimate attributed to local authorities; reports described different periods, including the first 12 hours and the storm’s first day.

Gaza’s Civil Defence said it received more than 1,500 emergency calls...