Need help right now?
If someone needs immediate help with building collapse inside, use emergency mode.
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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Walls, floors, or ceilings are failing while you are inside a building — from earthquake, explosion, or structural failure.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Cover head. Stay low. Cover mouth with cloth. Tap to signal. Call 112 when safe.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Cracking sounds, groaning metal, or walls visibly bowing or cracking.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Plaster, ceiling tiles, or light fixtures falling around you.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Sudden loss of power, doors jamming, or floors tilting.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Load-bearing walls, floors, or roofs are failing. Heavy concrete, glass, and steel can fall without warning.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Dust clouds can choke airways within minutes. Secondary collapses often follow the first failure.
Check the scene before you approach.
Do not run through collapsing corridors — falling debris and panicked crowds kill.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Drop to the floor immediately — do not stand in doorways or run blindly.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Get under sturdy furniture or against an interior wall away from windows.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Cover your head and neck. Pull shirt or cloth over mouth and nose.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Hold your cover position until shaking or falling debris stops.
When and how to get professional help.
Anyone trapped, injured, or unable to breathe needs immediate rescue.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Your job is to protect yourself and signal for help. Do not attempt structural rescue alone.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 or 108 as soon as you have signal and are not in immediate falling danger.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Say: "Building collapse. People may be trapped. Exact address and floor."
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If trapped and phone works, stay on the line — dispatchers can track your location.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT use elevators — shafts can collapse or fill with smoke.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT light matches or lighters — gas leaks are common after collapse.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT move heavy debris unless you are trained — it can trigger further collapse.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT shout continuously — save breath and tap instead.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Doorways are the safest place during a building collapse
Other scenarios in the same family.
Collapse nearby
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A building or structure is failing or has collapsed near where you are standing — you are outside but close to danger.
Bridge collapse
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A bridge, overpass, or elevated roadway has collapsed — with vehicles or people on or below it.
Construction accident
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A structural failure, fall, or collapse has occurred on a construction site — scaffolding, trench, or partial building.
Floor collapse
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A floor, mezzanine, or elevated platform has collapsed — dropping people to the level below or into a void.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If you can move safely, crawl toward stairs or an exit — test each step before putting full weight on it.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If trapped, stay still, protect your airway, and tap rhythmically on pipes or solid surfaces.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Conserve energy — rescue teams use sound detection.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Trapped persons need professional extrication — do not attempt to pull them from collapsed structures.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Anyone with difficulty breathing, chest pain, or crush injuries needs emergency medical care.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Modern door frames are not stronger than other interior walls. Sturdy furniture or interior walls away from glass offer better cover.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Standing in a doorway exposes you to falling debris and flying glass.