DAR ES SALAAM: The government has announced that a total of 29 people have lost their lives in the Kariakoo building collapse in Dar es Salaam.
However, authorities have managed to rescue 86 people from the tragic incident.
Addressing journalists at Kariakoo in Dar es Salaam today, Chief Government Spokesperson Mr. Thobias Makoba stated that efforts to identify additional bodies are ongoing using DNA technology.
He assured the public that updates will be provided once the identities of the deceased are confirmed and their families have been informed.
According to Mr. Makoba, out of the total number of deceased, only three have not yet been identified by their relatives.
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Earlier, Mr. Makoba, who also serves as the Director of Information Services, announced the resumption of business operations in Dar es Salaam’s busiest business center, effective Tuesday. For safety purposes, the market had been closed to facilitate rescue operations, including retrieving those trapped in the rubble.
However, Mchikichi Street, where the accident occurred, will remain closed pending further investigations.
Speaking to journalists this afternoon at Kariakoo Market, Mr. Makoba explained that the affected areas would remain closed for approximately two to three days to support ongoing investigations, as the collapsed building was directly connected to these areas.
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He also informed the public that the National Disaster Committee had officially handed over the area to the special management of the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, under the authority of the Dar es Salaam region.
“Apart from the streets I have mentioned, all other roads that were closed will be reopened, and any businesses that were restricted are allowed to resume normal operations starting at 2 p.m. today. The task here is complete, but this does not mean that everything is resolved. Investigations are still ongoing,” he stated.
Additionally, the Spokesperson mentioned that all recovered property, which is currently stored in a secure location under protection, would be sorted and assessed by traders and government officials to determine how much could be recovered.
