This archive report was first published on 25 August 2021.
On a tense Wednesday afternoon, August 25, 2021, a gunman sparked panic in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, as he went on a shooting spree near the French Embassy.
Witnesses reported seeing the unidentified attacker, armed with two guns, scouting Ali Hassan Mwinyi Road near Selanda Bridge around noon.
Motorists and passengers fled their vehicles in fear, abandoning their cars and running for their lives.
Police quickly surrounded the gunman and shot him down near the French Embassy, bringing an end to the chaotic scene.
The area is home to several foreign missions, including the French, Japanese, Kenyan, and Russian embassies, as well as financial institutions like KCB Bank and Stanbic Bank.
Despite the swift action by police, the motive behind the attack remains unclear.
As a precautionary measure, the United Nations and the US Embassy issued warnings, advising people to avoid the area due to security concerns.
The US Embassy specifically urged its citizens to 'avoid the area and monitor local media for information.'
