Death toll in Tanzania building collapse rises to 30

Mar. 29, 2013: Rescuers from the Tanzania Red Cross carry away a body from the rubble of a collapsed building in downtown Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. (AP Photo/Khalfan Said)

ZANZIBAR, Tanzania – The death toll from a collapsed building in Tanzania's largest city rose to 30 early Monday, according to a government statement.

Rescue workers have given up hope of finding more survivors after the 16-story building in Dar es Salaam collapsed Friday morning.

Only 17 people were pulled out of the rubble alive Friday.

The building, which was about to be completed, did not have tenants. Most of those killed were laborers and people passing by. The dead included children who were playing soccer at a nearby playground.

Witnesses say many construction workers are still missing.

In recent years, building collapses have become frequent in East African countries as some property developers bypass regulations to cut costs.