Building Collapse in Ethiopian Capital Kills Seven People

Early on Wednesday morning, a residential structure in Ethiopia’s capital fell, killing seven people who were sleeping in an adjacent residence. Local media agencies stated that the incident happened in Addis Ketema, a bustling neighborhood in Addis Ababa, at around 05:00 local time (02:00 BST).

Local government official Nigatu Mamo told the BBC that children ages four, eleven, and twelve were among the dead. Mamo lamented The victims lost their lives due to lack of air.” While rescue attempts continue in the impacted area, authorities are reportedly investigating to determine the cause of the collapse.

This is not an unusual incidence for the area, unfortunately. A similar catastrophe occurred in 2022 in Merkato, one of the largest open marketplaces in Africa, when a building fell, leaving at least six people dead and seven injured.

Experts have linked such structural collapses to a high frequency of subpar buildings and a lack of strict regulations, highlighting the critical necessity for strict oversight and enforcement to avert such tragedies in the future. Early on Wednesday morning, a residential structure in Ethiopia’s capital fell, killing seven people who were sleeping in an adjacent residence.