Rescue workers say at least three people have been killed and dozens more are trapped after a multi-storey building collapsed in the Tanzanian capital Dar es Salaam.

The collapsed building was near a mosque, as well as other residential and commercial properties in central Dar es Salaam where commercial activities take place.

Officials say about 13 people have pulled out from the debris so far with many more still trapped under the building.

The building is believed to be 16-unit story building which was uncompleted and was closed to a Koranic school building.

Some 45 people, including construction workers, residents and children from a Koranic school, are believed to be missing for now.

“I thought there was an earthquake and then I heard screaming. The whole building fell on itself,” eyewitness Musa Mohamed told local reporters.

Huge crane and several rescue workers are pulling out a mass of iron bars to get access to the centre of the building where some people are thought to be still alive.

Those trapped under the debris are said to have been making phone calls to friends and relatives to be rescued according to reporters at the scene.

There are large crowds of onlookers, as well as rescue workers and armed police officers at the scene to make sure that there is law and order.

Issaka Adams / NationalTurk Africa News

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