Dar es Salaam – A devastating building collapse in the Kariakoo area of Dar es Salaam has resulted in the loss of 13 lives, with rescue operations ongoing.
In a public address, President Samia Suluhu Hassan expressed deep sorrow for the tragedy and pledged the government's full support for the injured and the families of those who lost their lives.
"As of 10:00 a.m. today, a total of 84 people have been rescued and rushed to hospital for medical treatment," President Suluhu Hassan announced.
"Of those, 26 are still receiving treatment, while, tragically, 13 people have lost their lives in this disaster," she added, offering condolences to the victims' families and loved ones.
The government has committed to covering all medical expenses for the injured and ensuring that the deceased are treated with the utmost dignity.
"I call on all Tanzanians to keep the victims in their prayers during this difficult time and to offer support to the affected families," the President said.
While the cause of the collapse has not yet been determined, President Suluhu Hassan emphasized that the priority remains on rescue operations.
"Our focus is to save lives, and we will launch an investigation into the cause of the collapse once all survivors have been safely rescued," she stated.
The President also expressed her gratitude to the security forces, emergency responders, and medical teams who have been working around the clock to aid the victims.
She also recognized the efforts of private citizens and organizations that have volunteered to assist in the rescue operation.
Following the completion of the rescue efforts, the President has directed Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa to lead a team of building inspectors to conduct a thorough safety assessment of all buildings in the Kariakoo area.
"We must ensure that such a tragedy does not happen again," she said.
Additionally, the President has instructed the police to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collapse and obtain a full report from the building's owner regarding the construction practices and approvals involved.
The government will continue to update the public on the progress of the rescue operation and the investigation into the cause of the collapse.
