Nairobi building collapse leaves seven missing as rescue continues
A 16-18 storey building under construction in Nairobi's Eastleigh area collapsed Friday, leaving seven missing; officials say it lacked an occupation certificate.
The story in focus
A 16-18 storey building under construction in Nairobi's Eastleigh area collapsed on Friday afternoon, leaving seven people missing. Rescuers are searching the rubble. Officials said 66 of 67 construction workers escaped unharmed and the building lacked an occupation certificate, though shops on the ground floor were open.
- The building collapsed on Friday afternoon in Nairobi's Eastleigh area.
- Seven people are missing, feared trapped under rubble.
- 66 of 67 construction workers escaped unharmed; one was injured.
- Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson said the building had no occupation certificate.
- Rescue efforts were complicated by concerns that heavy machinery could cut off air to survivors.
Collapse and rescue operation
A building thought to be 16 or 18 storeys collapsed in Nairobi's Eastleigh area on Friday afternoon while under construction. Footage showed the bottom floor giving way before the rest of the structure crumpled, sending dust into the streets.
Seven people are feared trapped under the rubble, and a search and rescue effort is under way. Officials said 66 of the 67 construction workers in the building at the time escaped unharmed, while one worker suffered injuries that were not life-threatening.
Rescuers stopped using excavators after concerns that digging could limit air supply to those trapped, according to the Daily Nation. Nairobi police chief Issa Mohamud warned of a possible second collapse because the building was leaning on its neighbour.
Regulatory questions
Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson told local media that the building's owners did not have the required occupation certificate for the building to be occupied, even though 11 shops had opened on the bottom floors. He said the county needed stronger powers to penalise developers who disregard approved plans and safety standards.
The National Construction Authority said it had identified the developer, architect and structural engineer, but did not say whether the site had been inspected before the collapse.
Building collapses are not uncommon in Nairobi, with poor construction or improper planning often cited as contributing factors.
What did officials say about the building's paperwork?
Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson said the building did not have the required occupation certificate, making the presence of open shops on its ground floor illegal. Officials did not say whether the site had been inspected before the collapse.
Sources & further reading
- Seven missing after tall building collapses in Kenya's capital ↗BBC
- Several people missing after multistorey building collapses in Kenya ↗Al Jazeera
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