An interior ceiling of Ramez store on Salwa Road partially collapsed this morning, injuring shoppers who were inside, the Ministry of Interior has confirmed.
Authorities have not yet revealed the number of casualties at the shop in Al Mirqab Al Jadeed, near the junction with C-Ring Road.
One police officer at the scene told Doha News that 14 people were injured. However, a store employee, who had his arm in a sling, said there were seven people, including two children, injured.
The store was busy with shoppers when a section of the ceiling on what is understood to be the upper floor of the two-story building gave way, just before noon today.
One witness said that the affected area was in the back half of the shop, over the clothing, perfume and electronics departments.
An employee told Doha News he understood no-one was trapped under the rubble.
Shortly before 1pm, the MoI tweeted in Arabic to confirm it had first responders at the scene and that there are “no serious injuries or deaths”.
انهيار جزئي في سقف احد المحال التجارية بشارع سلوى والدفاع المدني باشر اجراءاته بتأمين السلامة واخراج المحشورين دون اصابات خطرة أو وفيات
— وزارة الداخلية – قطر (@MOI_Qatar) August 29, 2015
Translation: A partial collapse in the roof of a supermarket on Salwa Road, and civil defense actions initiated. The store was evacuated without serious injury or death.
Staff and shoppers were being evacuated from the building. Store employees could be seen gathered at the rear of the complex, their white shirts streaked with dirt from the incident.
Police have blocked off the service road in front of the shopping strip. At 1.30pm, there were at least six ambulances at the site as well as search and rescue and Civil Defense vehicles, with more arriving.
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