At Least 14 Killed, 18 Injured When East Jerusalem Coffeehouse Collapses

JERUSALEM — A coffeehouse in Arab East Jerusalem collapsed Saturday, killing at least 14 people and trapping scores of others underneath, police said.

Police spokeswoman Anat Granit said the incident was not the result of an attack. At least 18 people were injured.

Army disaster crews, emergency workers and volunteers worked in the rain into the early morning today to reach those trapped in the rubble. Jerusalem police said at least 14 bodies have been removed and a similar number were probably still buried.

Tractors removed gravestones and earth that fell onto the rubble after a cemetery wall overlooking the cafe gave way.

Police said the weight of snow piled on the roof during recent storms may have contributed.

The owner of the Paradise Garden cafe, located near the Damascus Gate of Jerusalem’s Old City wall, was trapped, along with two of his sons.

A third son, Saif Ma’abed, told reporters: “Suddenly we heard a noise of something falling on the roof. . . . Many stones fell, (and) the roof fell on the people. They had no time to get out, no time to scream, no time to do anything.”

Mayor Teddy Kollek told reporters at the scene: “In 26 years in office I cannot remember a disaster like this.”