By Lulu Angelo Sanga
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (AA) – The death toll from a building collapse in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania has risen to 13, with 84 injured, President Samia Suluhu Hassan confirmed Sunday in a video statement.
The incident occurred Saturday in the bustling Kariakoo district, triggering a large-scale rescue operation.
Speaking from Brazil, where she is attending the G20 Leaders' Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Hassan assured the public that rescue efforts are ongoing and progressing steadily. She emphasized that the government’s immediate priority is saving lives, which has delayed an investigation into the cause of the collapse.
The president has also ordered a team to inspect the structural integrity of all buildings in Kariakoo following the collapse of the four-story building.
The directive comes amid growing concern about building safety standards in one of Dar es Salaam’s busiest commercial districts, home to Kariakoo Market, one of the largest markets in East Africa.
"In the aftermath of this tragic event, I direct the prime minister to lead a team of building inspectors to conduct thorough assessments of all structures in the Kariakoo area to ensure safety and prevent future disasters," Hassan said.
Emergency teams, including the army, are working tirelessly to locate and rescue any remaining survivors. However, the exact number of people still trapped under the rubble remains unclear.
The tragedy has underscored the urgent need for stricter enforcement of Dar es Salaam's building regulations as authorities evaluate surrounding buildings' structural integrity.