Firefighters launched a search and rescue operation for a woman trapped under a collapsed building in Italy.

A five-storey structure gave way on Via De Amicis in Bari on March 5.

The incident prompted authorities to deploy firefighters, specialist USAR squads, sniffer dogs, and drones to locate possible survivors, including an elderly woman feared missing.

Reinforcements poured in from nearby commands in Taranto, Barletta, and Foggia, joining forces with Bari's fire brigade in a desperate bid to locate the missing woman.

Footage shows the aftermath, with the ruins of the building and piles of rubble strewn across the area.

The crumbling structure, believed to have been evacuated long ago and left uninhabited, sent shockwaves through the bustling central district.

Crews worked tirelessly to evacuate terrified residents from neighbouring buildings, ensuring their safety.