One dead in city building collapse

Patience Muchemwa

Police have said one woman died while six people were injured when the balcony of a decrepit building at the intersection of Chinhoyi Street and Bank Street in Harare’s central business district collapsed yesterday.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said two of the injured were in critical condition when they were rushed to hospital.

Eyewitnesses said that the woman was one of a number sheltering from the rain when the balcony came down injuring people and damaging property including vehicles parked along the busy street.

Civilians nearby moved in to assist the injured but the woman died before official first responders arrived on the scene.

Ass Comm Nyathi said one of the injured is a man who was in the company of the deceased and that police are investigating the circumstances leading to the collapse and would release full information in due course.

Social media speculation has said that the heavy rains could have triggered collapse of the rickety building.

City of Harare authorities last week issued a statement directing building owners to spruce up their premises as it is violation of city by-laws to allow building to run into disrepair.