The country's emergencies ministry said rescue teams had already pulled out one body, while another two were trapped in the wreckage. According to the ministry's information, at least five people remain beneath the debris.
Preliminary reports said the cause of the collapse might have been a breach of safety regulations at the construction site. Police have already arrested the CEO of the construction company, Ali Muradov, and his brother, as well as two construction managers.
A spokesman for the construction company said he heard the sound of an explosion before the building collapsed, but no witnesses have confirmed this.
Other witnesses said they felt a tremor before the building collapsed, but those reports have been dismissed by local officials. Some officials suggested that those responsible for the tragedy deliberately spread rumors of a tremor as a way of avoiding responsibility.
