The President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, has announced that as of 10:00 AM today, the number of people rescued from the collapsed building in Kariakoo stands at 84. Among them, 26 are still receiving medical treatment, while the death toll has reached 13.
President Samia, who is currently in Brazil attending the G20 leaders’ summit, expressed condolences to those affected by the tragedy. She assured that the government would cover medical expenses for all the injured and ensure that the deceased are given dignified burials.
The incident occurred on Saturday, November 16, 2024, when a four-story building in Kariakoo, a prominent commercial hub in Tanzania, collapsed. The cause of the collapse has not yet been determined by government authorities.
“As of now, the technical reasons behind the building’s collapse have not been investigated or identified. Our immediate priority was to rescue those trapped inside,” President Samia stated.
In addition to commending the rescue efforts of security agencies, the President extended her gratitude to private organizations, medical professionals, and the public for their cooperation during the rescue operation.
She also ordered a thorough inspection of all buildings in Kariakoo and a complete investigation into the incident.
“Once this rescue operation is completed, I am directing the Prime Minister to lead a team of building inspectors to carry out an assessment of the entire Kariakoo area and provide a comprehensive report on the condition of the buildings,” she said.
“The police must also obtain a detailed report from the owner of the collapsed building on how the construction was carried out,” the President added.
She assured the public that the government would continue to provide updates as the rescue operation progresses.