‘My mother is still trapped after Tanzania building collapse’

A man in Tanzania’s largest city, Dar es Salaam, is anxiously awaiting news of his mother, who remains trapped two days after a building collapsed in the Kariakoo market area. Emmanuel Mallya told the BBC that his mother was working in the building when it fell early on Saturday morning. Despite rescue efforts that have pulled 86 people alive from the rubble, 16 people are confirmed dead, according to Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa.

Mallya recounted his conversation with his mother before the collapse. “She called me and later told me that she was attending to customers. Two hours later, I was informed that the building had collapsed,” he said. While his mother remains unaccounted for, Mallya was optimistic, saying, “The rescue team told us they are in touch with her and other people trapped inside. Looking at the efforts being done, we have hope that she will come out alive. We leave that to God.”

The building’s collapse has caused widespread panic, with many people like Mallya still waiting for news of loved ones who may be trapped beneath the rubble. Located in the busy Kariakoo market, the building’s collapse left dozens of people in peril. Rescue teams have been working tirelessly, sending supplies of water, glucose, and oxygen to those trapped through small gaps in the debris. However, the exact number of people still trapped remains unclear.

Prime Minister Majaliwa said that once the rescue operation is completed, an investigation into the cause of the collapse would be launched. The authorities have also been seeking information from the building’s owner, who is under scrutiny for the incident. Majaliwa’s comments came during a somber ceremony in Dar es Salaam’s Mnazi Mmoja grounds, where thousands of mourners had gathered to collect the bodies of their loved ones for burial.

“Of the 86 people rescued alive, five remain in hospital under observation,” Majaliwa reported. “The rescue activities will continue day and night until we rescue the last person.” The collapse occurred at around 9:00 a.m. local time (06:00 GMT) on Saturday, before the market area had become too busy, which may have minimized the number of casualties. Hundreds of first responders initially used sledgehammers and their bare hands to remove debris, with cranes and heavy machinery brought in shortly afterward to assist in the efforts.

The tragic incident has raised concerns about the safety of buildings in Dar es Salaam and across Tanzania. In response, the government has formed a 19-person team tasked with inspecting buildings in the city to assess their structural integrity. The team will recommend safety measures to help prevent similar disasters in the future. Tanzanian officials are taking steps to address concerns about building safety and to ensure that such a tragedy does not happen again.

For the families of those trapped, like Mallya, the waiting continues. Despite the ongoing rescue efforts, the uncertainty of not knowing whether loved ones will be found alive or dead has left many in a state of emotional distress. Mallya remains hopeful but is also preparing for the possibility that the worst may come. “We are just praying and hoping that she will be found,” he said.

The building collapse in Dar es Salaam is a stark reminder of the importance of building safety and the risks of structural failures in densely populated areas. While the immediate focus is on rescuing survivors and recovering the bodies of the deceased, questions about the cause of the collapse are likely to persist. Authorities have pledged to investigate thoroughly, but the trauma of the disaster will likely resonate in the community for a long time.

As the rescue operation continues, Tanzanians are rallying together to support the families affected, offering condolences and helping with recovery efforts. The government’s focus now is on both rescue and prevention, as it aims to ensure that such a tragedy does not repeat itself in the future. In the meantime, the people of Dar es Salaam are left to cope with the aftermath, with many still anxiously waiting for news of their loved ones.