At least five people have been confirmed dead and dozens injured following the collapse of a four-storey building in the Kariakoo district, the heart of Tanzania’s bustling commercial capital, on Saturday morning. 

The incident occurred as shoppers thronged the popular market, leaving chaos and panic in its wake. Rescuers, including fire brigade personnel and multi-agency teams, worked tirelessly to locate survivors. Equipped with drills, sledgehammers, and excavators, they combed through the rubble while many used their bare hands to speed up the process. 

“There is the possibility that more people are still trapped in the basement,” fire brigade commander Peter Mtui told reporters, underscoring the urgency of the search-and-rescue mission. 

The Tanzania Red Cross Society reported on X that at least 56 individuals had been rescued and transported to various hospitals for treatment. 

Authorities are yet to determine the cause of the collapse, but investigations are expected to follow as rescue efforts continue. (ILKHA)