AS the government winds down the rescue operation for survivors of the collapsed building at Kariakoo business zone in Dar es Salaam, the death toll has risen to 29.

Government spokesman Thobias Makoba updated journalists on the rescue operations at the site yesterday, noting that by early afternoon yesterday Kariakoo was back to normal, with the exception of the immediate vicinity of the building collapse.
So far three bodies of the deceased, out of nine more recently found, have yet to be identified, and two people who were injured in the incident are still receiving treatment, he stated.

The process of identifying the bodies by DNA testing is being conducted if presumably there are relatives or family members wishing to confirm any of those deceased persons to be a loved one.

The rescue operation and the search for additional bodies was lifted yesterday, allowing businesses to resume operations from 2pm in all areas except Mchikichi Street, he said.

The Information Department director noted that after completing the rescue phase, the focus has shifted to removing the and safely storing it in a designated area, while investigations into the cause of the collapse proceed.

The next step is for the government, in collaboration with business owners, to identify properties within the disaster zone that were placed under law enforcement agencies as business stopped in the morning on Friday, November 15.

"The national disaster committee, which had set up a camp when the disaster occurred, is now handing over the matter to the Dar es Salaam regional authorities,” he elaborated, hinting that Manyema and Mchikichi streets which extend to the Congo Street bazaar, will remain closed for two to three days while investigations are conducted.

One of the owners has already been arrested and others are being sought by the police as investigations are pursued, he said, avoiding to give details so as to avoid interfering with investigations.

Remsi Mbilu, a clothing business owner in Kariakoo, was happy that shops would now open, saying the past ten days have been too difficult for traders.

Mahamudu Juma, another trader, said that it was time to resume business activities as disasters are part of fate.