Tanzania Building Collapse: Man Waits for News of Trapped Mother as Rescue Efforts Continue

In Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city, a man is anxiously waiting for news of his mother, who remains trapped under rubble after a building collapsed two days ago. Emmanuel Mallya spoke to the BBC, sharing his hope that his mother, who was working in the building at the time of the collapse, might still be alive.

The tragic incident occurred on Saturday morning in the busy Kariakoo market area, when the building, which housed several businesses, suddenly gave way. Mallya explained that his mother had been attending to customers when she called him to say everything was fine. However, two hours later, he received devastating news: the building had collapsed.

“They told us they are in touch with her and other people trapped in there,” Mallya said, still holding onto hope. “Looking at the efforts being made, we have hope that she will come up alive, we leave that to God.”

The disaster has claimed at least 16 lives, with 86 people pulled alive from the debris, according to Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa. Mallya, along with many others, is among those waiting for news of loved ones trapped under the wreckage. It is unclear exactly how many people remain trapped, but rescuers have been working around the clock to pull them free.

Rescue teams have been sending supplies like water, glucose, and oxygen through small gaps in the debris to help those still stuck beneath the rubble. Heavy machinery, including cranes, has been brought in to aid in the recovery efforts, after initial responders used sledgehammers and their bare hands to clear the wreckage.

Prime Minister Majaliwa has vowed that rescue efforts will continue “day and night” until every person is freed. He also stated that once the mission is complete, an investigation will be launched to determine the cause of the collapse, and authorities are pursuing the building’s owner for information.

At a ceremony at Dar es Salaam’s Mnazi Mmoja grounds, where mourners gathered to collect the bodies of their loved ones, Majaliwa confirmed that five of the rescued survivors remain in the hospital under observation. He promised that a team of 19 inspectors will now assess buildings across the city to ensure structural safety and prevent further tragedies.

Fortunately, the building collapsed before the area became overcrowded, potentially saving more lives. As rescue teams continue their efforts, the city remains in shock, with many holding onto the hope that more survivors will be found in the coming days.