Nairobi: A 12-storey building under construction collapsed in Nairobi’s Eastleigh neighbourhood on Friday (October 23), with many people feared trapped beneath the rubble, authorities said.
The building collapsed at around 1 pm along a busy commercial street in the densely populated area, which is frequented by thousands of traders and residents. Nairobi County Governor Johnson Sakaja’s office said there were reports that people may be trapped beneath the debris and confirmed that the ground floor was occupied.
Nairobi police chief Issa Mohamud said the building had more than 10 upper floors under construction. The cause of the collapse was not immediately known.
Rescue operations were underway, with emergency responders working to reach the ground-floor and basement areas, reportedly rented out as shops while construction continued above. An excavator arrived at the scene to help clear concrete and steel from the rubble, while some rescuers used poles to probe the debris.
Residents said some of their trapped relatives had called for help shortly after the collapse, but their phones later became unreachable. The Kenya Red Cross said its teams were on their way and urged people to give emergency responders space to work safely.
Police also fired tear gas at people who had begun looting nearby shops as officers tried to clear the area and allow rescue teams access.
Building collapses are a recurring problem in Nairobi. County officials responsible for issuing building permits have faced allegations of failing to conduct adequate inspections to ensure developers comply with construction standards and safety regulations.
(With agency inputs from Reuters and AP via PTI)