Rescue operations at the site of a collapsed building in Tanzania’s commercial capital have officially ended, with the death toll rising to 29, government officials confirmed on Tuesday.
The four-story building, located in the Kariakoo area of Dar es Salaam, collapsed on November 16, trapping dozens of people.
More than 80 individuals were rescued from the debris.
The building’s owner has been arrested, and investigations into the cause of the collapse are ongoing, according to government spokesperson Thobias Makoba.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has called for an audit of all buildings in the Kariakoo area, where many businesses have resumed operations since the search and rescue efforts concluded.
Building collapses, especially during the rainy season, are a frequent problem in Tanzania, often attributed to poor construction practices.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation as efforts to ensure building safety in the region intensify.