DStv Channel 403 Sunday, 08 December 2024

Rescuers race to reach people still trapped in collapsed Tanzania building

Rescuers worked to reach people still trapped in a collapsed building in Tanzania's commercial capital Dar es Salaam on Monday, with the death toll rising to 16. 

"Rescue operations are ongoing because some people are still trapped in the building," said Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa during a ceremony for the victims. 

"We are communicating with some of the trapped people and hear their voices," he said, adding that 86 people had been rescued so far. 

The four-storey block came down early on Saturday in the busy Kariakoo market. 

Majaliwa said a team of 19 experts had been appointed to inspect high-rise buildings in the area.

It is not clear why the building collapsed but witnesses told local media that construction to expand its underground business space began on Friday. 

The incident has renewed criticism over unregulated construction in the Indian Ocean city of more than five million people.

One of the world's fastest growing cities, Dar es Salaam has been the scene of a frenetic property boom with buildings shooting up quickly.

In 2013, a 16-storey building collapsed in the city, killing 34 people. 

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