DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — The ceiling of a landmark building from the 1800s under renovation in Syria’s capital collapsed Wednesday, killing two workers and injuring several others, state media reported.

Rescuers were searching for workers still trapped in the rubble of the building, known as the Grand Serail, in the central Marjeh Square of Damascus, state news agency SANA said.

The search is complicated by a reluctance to use heavy machinery out of fear that the building might collapse, SANA quoted the head of the Syrian Civil Defense in Damascus, Hasan al-Hassan, as saying.

The building, dating to the late 19th century when Syria was part of the Ottoman Empire, has in the past been used as offices for the Interior Ministry.

When Syria’s long-time autocratic ruler, President Bashar Assa

See Full Page