(Dar es Salaam) – At least five people have died and dozens were injured after a four-story building collapsed in Kariakoo, the bustling commercial hub of Tanzania’s capital, Dar es Salaam, on Saturday morning. The tragedy struck as shoppers crowded the market, leaving many trapped under the rubble.
Hundreds of rescuers, including firefighters, volunteers, and members of the Red Cross, are working tirelessly to search for survivors. Using bare hands, drills, sledgehammers, and excavators, they combed through the debris in a desperate bid to save lives. Fire brigade commander Peter Mtui confirmed that more people might still be trapped in the basement of the collapsed structure.
The Tanzania Red Cross Society announced on X (formerly Twitter) that at least 56 survivors had been rescued and rushed to various hospitals for treatment. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with authorities and volunteers working against the clock to find more survivors.
Witnesses reported that the building began expanding its underground business area just a day before the collapse. This raises questions about the safety and structural integrity of the construction, a concern highlighted by Tanzania’s rapid urbanization and construction boom.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan expressed her sadness over the incident before departing for the G20 summit in Brazil. She extended her condolences to the victims and their families and assured that authorities would investigate the cause of the collapse.
Dar es Salaam, a port city on the Indian Ocean and home to over five million people, has experienced a construction surge in recent years. However, the speed of development has raised concerns about adherence to building standards. According to the World Bank, Dar es Salaam is one of the world’s fastest-growing cities, making urban planning and safety a pressing issue.
The incident is a grim reminder of a similar tragedy in 2013, when a 16-story building collapsed in the same city, killing 34 people. Such events underscore the urgent need for stricter regulations and enforcement in Tanzania’s construction industry to prevent future disasters.
| Details of the Collapse | Figures/Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Kariakoo Market, Dar es Salaam |
| Death Toll | 5 confirmed dead |
| Injured | Dozens, 56 rescued so far |
| Cause | Possible construction expansion on the underground level |
| Rescue Efforts | Multi-agency teams using tools and bare hands |
