(Dar es Salaam ) – On Monday, November 18, 2024, the bodies of 15 people who lost their lives in the devastating collapse of a building at Kariakoo market in Dar es Salaam were transported to Mnazi Mmoja grounds. The bodies, which had been carefully prepared and placed in coffins, arrived at around 7:34 AM, just seven minutes after the Prime Minister, Kassim Majaliwa, had arrived at the scene to oversee the memorial event.
The bodies were brought to the grounds in several military vehicles, accompanied by the sound of an ambulance siren, symbolizing the gravity of the situation. Upon arrival, the bodies were carefully unloaded by military personnel and placed on special parade beds, each set next to a chair, making a total of 15 seats. These symbolic gestures reflected the number of lives lost in the tragedy.
As the bodies were carried into the venue, relatives, friends, and other mourners present could not hold back their tears, mourning the tragic loss of their loved ones. The atmosphere was charged with grief, as families stood together in their sorrow.
On-site, security officers, including the Special Forces Unit (FFU), played a key role in managing the crowd, assisting mourners, and ensuring the event went smoothly. Meanwhile, local volunteers and city officers provided essential services such as drinking water for the mourners, and members of the Red Cross offered first aid to some attendees who were overwhelmed by the emotions of the day.
The memorial ceremony, which was led by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, marked a solemn moment for the city as Dar es Salaam paid tribute to those lost in the tragic building collapse. Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident, and the public remains in shock as the city comes together to honor the victims.