Building collapses in Nairobi with many feared trapped

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 18:32 · Archive

A multi-storey building under construction collapsed in Nairobi's Eastleigh area on Friday, with many feared trapped in the rubble.

A multi-storey building under construction collapsed at about 1pm on Friday in Nairobi's Eastleigh commercial district. The building had more than ten upper floors under construction when it fell in the busy area, which is often crowded with thousands of traders and residents. The collapse left a mound of concrete with more than a dozen floors stacked like pancakes, with little space between them.

Rescue operations were complicated by looting at neighbouring shops, prompting police to fire tear gas to clear the area and provide access to emergency response teams. Nairobi police chief Issa Mohamud warned of a possible secondary collapse, as the collapsed building was leaning on its neighbour. One injured woman was rescued and hospitalised, and another person who was crying for help had gone silent, according to Mohamud.

Joseph Kaula, a plasterer working on the fifth floor, said he heard screams and spotted other workers rushing outside. 'I was the last person to walk out before it collapsed and the whole area was filled with dust,' he said. He suspects a few colleagues were trapped in the basement. Residents reported that some trapped loved ones had made phone calls for help immediately after the collapse, but their phones later became unreachable. A tent was set up for people to report the missing. The exact number of those trapped remains unknown. Building collapses are a recurring problem in Nairobi.

How it is being reported

• Many feared trapped as building collapses in KenyaA multi-story building has collapsed in a busy commercial area of Kenya's capital, there are fears many people are trapped beneath the rubble.The West Australian · 23 Oct, 18:07
• Many feared trapped as building collapses in KenyaA multi-story building has collapsed in a busy commercial area of Kenya's capital, there are fears many people are trapped beneath the rubble.Perth Now · 23 Oct, 18:07

In this story: Nairobi · Kenya · Eastleigh · Issa Mohamud · Joseph Kaula

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