ONE of the survivors in the Kariakoo Market four-storey building collapse in the central business district in Dar es Salaam, Hassan Yahya, has recounted how he and others used a stick to signal for help from rescuers.

Police confirmed on Saturday that five people died and 77 were rescued following the building’s collapse, with Yahya telling Speaking to reporters at the scene yesterday, Yahya described how after being trapped, they discovered a small opening and improvised with a stick to seek assistance.

"I was a trader in the collapsed building, and when it came down, I was on the middle floor. I heard a loud rumble and saw my neighbours running, so I followed, realizing something was wrong.

"As I ran, I didn’t get far as about 26 of us found ourselves trapped in a small area. Everyone was panicking and crying, so we had to pick some people to control the situation. I volunteered to lead," Yahya explained.

The group began searching for any light or openings that could indicate an escape route. They found a small gap—too small for a hand to pass through—so they used a stick they had found to signal rescuers.

"The rescuers noticed the stick and began breaking through the wall. We agreed that the smaller ones should be rescued first. I was the third-last to be pulled out from our group, but even as we were being rescued, we could hear others in a different area also crying for help," he said.

Once he and two others were certain they would be rescued, they took a photo and sent it to their families to inform them they were alive, he said, highlighting that after being discharged from the hospital, Yahya said he received numerous calls from people who had mistakenly believed he had died in the incident.

John Masunga, the Fire and Rescue Force commissioner general said at the site that the force had communicated with some victims still trapped under the rubble to reassure them of ongoing rescue efforts.

"Some of the victims used knocking sounds on the walls as a signal to help rescuers locate them faster," he said, pointing out that rescuers had successfully provided oxygen, water and glucose to some survivors, but faced significant challenges owing to the disaster landscape.

"We had to break through two or three walls to reach the trapped individuals. We also drilled small holes to provide emergency assistance while working to free them," he explained.

Albert Chalamila, the regional commissioner, said that as of mid-yesterday 77 people had been rescued and five were confirmed dead, meanwhile as Renatus Mlelwa, the Dar es Salaam Traders Association assistant secretary, praised the rescue team for their efforts.

"I have been part of the efforts to locate those trapped and it is evident that many lives have been saved," he said, urging that lessons need to be learned from the tragedy, like the need for stricter safety measures for buildings, particularly in Kariakoo.

"Safety standards of our buildings, especially the lower floors, need serious attention. We ask the relevant authorities to address this issue urgently," he stressed, with journalists noticing heightened security at the site and across Kariakoo. 

The Fire and Rescue Force were being assisted by the military and National Service units, who sent a few sections to secure the area and help in rescue efforts.

Access to the dusty vicinity of the collapsed building was restricted with barriers to prevent entry. Sector ministers remained stationed at the scene to oversee operations, officials indicated.