Tanzania Apartment Collapse Toll Rises to 29

The tragedy occurred on November 16 in Kariakoo, a bustling market area in one of the world's fastest-growing cities. The collapse prompted President Samia Suluhu Hassan to pledge urgent reforms to improve building safety standards.

Initial reports put the death toll at 20, but the figure increased after rescuers recovered more bodies from the debris. Chief government spokesperson Tobias Makoba confirmed that the clean-up operation had concluded and that "three of the recovered bodies are undergoing DNA testing to establish their identities."

Two survivors remain hospitalized with injuries sustained in the collapse, Makoba added.

Dar es Salaam, home to over five million people, is undergoing a rapid property boom. However, the pace of construction has often outstripped regulatory enforcement, leading to safety concerns.

The ill-fated building in Kariakoo, a hotspot for commercial activity, collapsed during a busy shopping day. In response, the government has established a commission to inspect structures throughout the district. President Hassan assured the public that the commission's findings would be disclosed.

This latest disaster recalls a similar tragedy in 2013 when a 16-story building in the city collapsed, claiming 34 lives. The recurrence of such incidents has underscored the urgent need for stricter oversight and adherence to construction standards.