People and rescue workers stand on the rubble of a collapsed building as they search for survivors in Alexandria January 16, 2013 (Photo: Reuters)
The death toll in the Alexandria building collapse has risen to 28, the Egyptian health ministry has announced.
Fifteen people were also injured when the building collapsed on Wednesday in Al-Maamoura, a district in eastern Alexandria, Egypt's second-largest city.
Police have arrested the building's two owners and referred them to the prosecution for further investigation.
Earlier on Wednesday, Housing Minister Tarek Wafiq admitted the government should be held responsible for the collapse, but pointed out that the building was unlicensed.
However, local residents had warned provincial authorities about an imminent collapse after sewage water flooded the neighborhood following days of heavy rainfall.
The flooding, they say, allowed cracks to form on the building along with two others that were evacuated by military rescue forces later on Wednesday.
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