7 Killed, Including Children, in Building Collapse in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

On April 26, 2024, around 2:00 BST, a residential building under construction collapsed in Addis Ketema, a sub-city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, resulting in the deaths of seven people, including children aged 4, 11, and 12. The victims were reportedly sleeping in a house located next to the construction site when the collapse occurred, crushing the neighboring structure.

Nigatu Mamo, a spokesperson for the local authorities, confirmed the incident and the casualties, stating that the victims "lost their lives due to lack of air." Rescue efforts are ongoing in the affected area, and the police have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the collapse.

This tragic incident is not the first of its kind in Addis Ababa. In 2022, a similar building collapse in the nearby Merkato area, one of Africa's largest open markets, claimed the lives of at least six people and injured seven others. Experts have attributed such structural failures to poor construction quality and weak regulatory measures, emphasizing the pressing need for robust oversight and enforcement to prevent future tragedies.

Why this matters: The recurring incidents of building collapses in Addis Ababa underscore the critical importance of ensuring safe construction practices and stringent regulations to protect the lives of residents. The loss of young lives in this latest tragedy highlights the severe consequences of inadequate building standards and the necessity for immediate action to address this pressing issue.

As the investigation into the cause of the collapse continues, local officials and rescue workers remain at the scene, working tirelessly to search for any additional survivors and provide support to the affected families. The state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate reported on the incident, as the community grapples with the devastating loss of life, particularly the young children who perished in this preventable disaster.

Key Takeaways

• Building collapse in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia kills 7, including 3 children.
• Victims were sleeping in a house next to the construction site.
• Previous similar incidents in Addis Ababa attributed to poor construction quality.
• Experts call for robust oversight and enforcement to prevent future tragedies.
• Ongoing rescue efforts and investigation to determine the cause of the collapse.