A tragic incident occurred on October 27 in Thiès, Senegal, when a building under construction collapsed near the Brioche Dorée bakery. The Ministry of Urbanism, Territorial Collectivities, and Territorial Planning reported that three people were trapped under the debris. Two were rescued alive and taken to a medical facility, while a third person lost their life.
According to the Ministry, irregularities had been identified on the construction site several months prior to the accident. The building had been authorized for an elevation up to R+3 levels. However, an inspection conducted on June 9, 2026, by the Regional Urbanism Division found that the construction had reached R+5 levels, with two additional floors added without prior authorization.
Following the discovery of the unauthorized additions, an order to halt the work was issued and made official on the building site. The Ministry has not yet established a definitive link between these irregularities and the collapse. The causes of the disaster are still being determined, and a technical expertise is planned to examine the building's structure, foundation resistance, and load-bearing elements.
The expertise will also assess the quality of materials used and the execution conditions of the work. These investigations aim to provide a clearer understanding of the accident's circumstances and identify potential responsibilities. The Ministry will collaborate with administrative authorities, local collectivities, and technical services to secure the site and conduct necessary checks.
In response to the incident, the Ministry announced an increase in controls on ongoing construction sites and buildings showing signs of fragility. The Ministry emphasized the regulatory requirements governing constructions, stressing that any modification to the number of levels must be authorized and preceded by a verification of the existing structure's capacity.
Those involved in the construction process, including project managers, promoters, architects, study bureaus, and enterprises, are required to adhere to these prescriptions under penalty of sanctions. The Ministry called on the public to report any construction sites or buildings presenting potential risks to people's and property safety to the competent services.
The conclusions of the technical expertise will be crucial in determining the causes of the collapse and assigning responsibilities in Thiès. The incident highlights the importance of adhering to construction regulations and the need for rigorous monitoring of building sites to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Key points
- One person died and two were injured in the building collapse in Thiès, Senegal.
- The building had unauthorized additions, with two floors added without prior authorization.
- Authorities will conduct a technical expertise to determine the causes of the collapse and identify potential responsibilities.
