Douala flags 31 dangerous buildings, 19 at imminent risk of collapse ⁰

Services of the Douala Urban Community (CUD) identified 31 buildings with “structural defects,” including 19 that expose occupants to an “imminent risk” of collapse.

Douala Mayor Roger Mbassa Ndine disclosed the findings in a statement dated Aug. 3, 2026, after a series of inspections conducted under the city’s urban-risk prevention policy. The remaining 12 buildings present what authorities classify as an “ordinary” risk.

The city attributes the situation mainly to violations of urban-planning rules and construction standards, unauthorized works, unsuitable building materials, modifications made without technical supervision and the prolonged abandonment of some structures.

Against this backdrop, the mayor recalled that “any construction, extension, additional-floor, substantial modification or rehabilitation operation must comply with the legislative and regulatory provisions in force, particularly through the prior acquisition of the required urban-planning authorizations.”

The mayor also stressed the need to assess any building that shows signs of structural weakness before owners undertake work. He said qualified professionals must conduct the assessments before interventions to protect occupants and people living nearby.

The authorities will now handle each identified building on a case-by-case basis.

Seals

Municipal services will first conduct additional technical assessments before notifying owners, occupants or operators about the measures they must implement and the deadlines they must meet, according to the mayor.

Authorities will require owners to secure or reinforce buildings when their condition allows such interventions. However, authorities may order the immediate evacuation of the most dangerous buildings and place seals or impose other precautionary measures to prevent access.

Authorities will demolish buildings that they consider beyond repair or buildings whose owners fail to comply with administrative requirements, in accordance with regulations.

Beyond enforcement measures, Roger Mbassa Ndine urged property developers to comply strictly with technical and administrative construction rules.

He also called on residents to report buildings with major cracks, structural subsidence, unusual cracking sounds or other signs that could signal a collapse. The mayor also urged residents to report construction sites that lack the legally required display of a building permit.

The campaign follows a tragedy in Bonamoussadi, Douala, where a building collapsed in mid-July and killed six people, including three children.

The latest accident highlighted the recurring risk of building collapses in Cameroon’s economic capital and renewed calls for stricter enforcement of construction standards.

Through the campaign, the city aims to prevent further disasters by strengthening oversight of high-risk buildings and holding developers, owners and other industry stakeholders accountable.

Source: Sbbc