Rescue crews are searching for people feared trapped beneath a collapsed building in Nairobi’s Eastleigh neighbourhood, where the governor said voices had been heard from inside the rubble.
The multi-storey structure was under construction when it came down on Friday, 23 October. Its ground floor was already occupied, according to the Nairobi governor’s office.
Governor Johnson Sakaja said teams had heard people communicating from inside and were working to create access.
Kenya Red Cross said its responders were supporting a multi-agency search and rescue operation along Yusuf Haji Avenue, 9th Street. It urged the public to keep clear so emergency workers could operate safely.
One injured woman was rescued and taken to hospital, Nairobi police chief Issa Mohamud said. He warned that the structure was leaning against a neighbouring building and could collapse further.
Shops had been operating at ground level while construction continued above. Sakaja said the building had construction approval but lacked an occupation certificate.
Neither a confirmed death toll nor the number of people still trapped had been established in the reports reviewed by JAM Radio. The cause was also unclear.
Emergency crews continued searching the debris as officials pledged an investigation.
Sources used for this report4 verified links
- Reuters — Building collapses in Kenyan capital, rescuers on the scene
- Associated Press — Many feared trapped as a tall building collapses in Kenya
- Eastleigh Voice — Photos & Videos: Multi-storey building collapses in Eastleigh
- People Daily — Kenya Red Cross leads rescue efforts after Eastleigh building collapse
