Rescue teams in Tanzania have reported significant progress in their efforts to locate and assist survivors of a devastating building collapse in Dar es Salaam, the country’s largest city. The incident, which took place on Saturday morning in the bustling Kariakoo market area, has left at least 13 people dead, while 84 others have been successfully rescued from the rubble.
The building, a four-storey structure, collapsed around 9:00 AM local time, causing widespread panic in the commercial district. As rescue operations continue, emergency teams are working tirelessly to reach those still trapped beneath the debris. In a heartening development, rescuers have managed to establish contact with some survivors who remain buried. Through small gaps in the wreckage, supplies of water, glucose, and oxygen have been sent to sustain the trapped individuals as they await rescue.
The ongoing rescue efforts have captured the attention of onlookers, with large crowds gathering around the site. As survivors are pulled from the rubble, many bystanders have applauded the work of the rescue teams. The emotional scenes included dramatic moments when survivors were ferried on stretchers, past huge piles of concrete debris, and taken to local hospitals for treatment.
According to Dar es Salaam’s regional commissioner, Albert Chalamila, seven people were rescued from the building’s basement on Sunday. While the exact number of those still trapped remains unclear, authorities are holding out hope that more survivors may be found as the search continues. “We are hopeful that more survivors will be found,” Chalamila said in a statement to *The Citizen* newspaper.
The collapse occurred in the early hours before the market area became crowded with shoppers, likely preventing further casualties. However, the event has raised concerns about the safety of buildings in Dar es Salaam, which is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. Poor enforcement of building regulations is often cited as a contributing factor to such incidents.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has expressed her condolences to the families of the deceased and assured the public that authorities are doing everything they can to ensure the safety of those still trapped. In a statement issued after the collapse, she confirmed that 13 people have died, and authorities have already brought 84 survivors to safety. She added that the Prime Minister would lead a comprehensive inspection of all buildings in the Kariakoo area to ensure they meet safety standards. “We will collect full details from the building’s owner,” she said.
Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa also weighed in on the situation, expressing his commitment to the ongoing rescue mission. He said that authorities would not rest until every person trapped in the rubble has been located. “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,” he stated.
The rescue teams have faced significant challenges in their efforts. In the initial hours after the collapse, first responders used sledgehammers and their bare hands to clear debris in the hope of finding survivors. Cranes and other heavy machinery were eventually brought in to aid the operation. Rescue efforts have been slow, but the fact that some survivors have been pulled out alive has provided a glimmer of hope for the teams working at the scene.
Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the collapse, but investigations are expected to begin once the rescue operation is complete. In the meantime, there are growing concerns about the safety of buildings in Dar es Salaam and other rapidly developing urban areas in Tanzania. Many of the city’s new buildings are constructed at a rapid pace to meet the demands of a growing population, but reports suggest that building codes are not always strictly enforced. This has raised alarm among safety experts, who warn that further incidents may occur if construction standards are not improved.
Dar es Salaam’s rapid urbanization has put a strain on infrastructure, with many new developments being built in areas with poor oversight. The collapse of the four-storey building in Kariakoo is a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with hasty construction and inadequate safety measures.
As rescue operations continue and investigations begin, there is a growing call for stronger regulations and better enforcement of building codes to prevent such tragedies in the future. The people of Dar es Salaam, and indeed all of Tanzania, will be hoping that the lessons learned from this tragedy will lead to safer building practices and more stringent oversight in the future.
In other news – Zimbabwe’s ICT Minister Tatenda Mavetera exposed for falsely claiming to have a PhD
Zimbabwe’s Minister of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Tatenda Mavetera, is facing criticism after it was revealed that she has been using the title “Dr.” despite being a PhD candidate rather than a doctorate holder. The controversy erupted when a recent flyer from her Ministry, as well as Business Times publications, referred to her as “Dr. Mavetera,” prompting questions about the ethicality of using the academic title before completing the necessary qualifications.
Tatenda Mavetera, who holds an Honours Degree in Management and Marketing and a Master’s in Strategic Marketing, is currently pursuing a second doctorate in Business Leadership with a focus on Digital Marketing and Information Systems at Midlands State University. Read More
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