Rescue teams in Tanzania have successfully made contact with individuals still trapped under the rubble of a four-storey building that collapsed in Dar es Salaam on Saturday. Supplies of water, glucose, and oxygen are being delivered to survivors through narrow gaps in the debris.
The tragedy occurred in the bustling Kariakoo market area, where 13 people have been confirmed dead. So far, 84 individuals have been rescued, with seven pulled from the building’s basement on Sunday, according to Dar es Salaam’s regional commissioner, Albert Chalamila.
“We are hopeful that more survivors will be found,” Chalamila told The Citizen. However, the exact number of people still trapped remains unknown.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan announced that Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa would lead an inspection of all buildings in Kariakoo to ensure their safety. She also directed police to gather comprehensive details about the collapsed building from its owner.
Speaking to reporters, Majaliwa assured, “We won’t rest until we have made sure we have been able to rescue each and every person or soul who is trapped in the rubble.”
Large crowds gathered at the site, cheering as rescue workers carried survivors on stretchers through piles of shattered concrete to waiting ambulances.
The building collapsed around 9:00 a.m. local time, just before the market area became crowded. Initially, first responders used sledgehammers and bare hands to sift through the rubble. Cranes and heavy machinery were later deployed to expedite the rescue operation.
Authorities have yet to identify the cause of the collapse, with investigations set to begin after the rescue mission is completed. Dar es Salaam, one of the world’s fastest-growing cities, faces challenges with building regulations, which are not always strictly enforced.
