UGANDA: Five-storey building collapses just outside Kampala killing at least four people and trapping 30 others

Record ID: 216223

  • Title: UGANDA: Five-storey building collapses just outside Kampala killing at least four people and trapping 30 others
  • Date: 30th January 2008
  • Summary: RED CROSS STAFF WRAP BODY RED CROSS STAFF AND POLICE CARRY BODY ON A STRETCHER
  • Embargoed: 14th February 2008 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Uganda
  • Country: Uganda
  • Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes
  • Reuters ID: LVAELVZMMTX0CGRJA330RREFDJVI
  • Story Text: A five-storey building collapsed on Wednesday (January 30) just outside the Ugandan capital Kampala, killing at least four people, injuring eight, and trapping about 30 others inside, police said.
    Only six of the contruction workers managed to escape before the building collapsed.
    "We heard the building shaking like there was an earthquake, we rushed down to call the foreman, the foreman told us there was no problem and we should resume work, he said it seems the workers on the top floor were knocking on something, then he climbed up to see what they were knocking, shortly after he climbed up the building started coming down, we were down, we run but those inside were unable to escape," said Geofrey Mukanga, one of the survivors.
    The building meant for a school was still under construction and those in the building were all workers.
    Police said they suspected the building was not being put up to proper standards.

    "But part of what I suspect is the lack of supervision, because most of these buildings are made on plans which are approved by city council, by local authorities, but after aproving the plan what next, I would believe that the people should be following up and supervising, some of these people are doing the work unsupervised," said police spokesman Gabriel Tibayungwa.
    The incident was the second in two years. Officials have previously warned construction companies against shoddy building. Some firms use substandard materials or insufficient cement to cut back costs.
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