Nairobi Building Collapse: All Feared Trapped Now Accounted For
A devastating building collapse in Nairobi’s Kahawa West area has left a trail of destruction, but fortunately, all those initially feared trapped have been accounted for. According to Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, the masons working on the structure, as well as a missing lady and child, have been located.
The eight-storey residential building had been evacuated prior to its collapse, with over 60 tenants safely removed from the premises. The masons, hired by the building’s owner to repair cracked pillars and walls, were working on the ground floor when the building came down. Locals had detected weaknesses in the structure and had mobilized residents to evacuate, with some even capturing the dramatic collapse on video.
The video footage shows residents warning those nearby to move away moments before the building collapsed, amidst screams and chaos. Nairobi police boss Adamson Bungei confirmed that the residents had been evacuated from the house, stating, "They knew it was weak and had been told to move out. We are searching if there is anyone therein."
Governor Sakaja reported that a building near the collapsed one has been evacuated due to signs of structural failures. Nairobi County Deputy Governor Njoroge Muchiri visited the scene to oversee the ongoing search mission. Multi-agency teams have been deployed to the site, with operations still ongoing.
While the situation is dire, Governor Sakaja expressed relief that casualties are expected to be minimal, thanks to the swift evacuation efforts by the Nairobi City County’s Planning Enforcement team. So far, only one casualty has been reported – a middle-aged lady who was outside the building and injured by falling rubble during the collapse.
As the search and rescue mission continues, authorities are working tirelessly to ensure that everyone affected by the disaster receives the necessary support. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing building safety and maintenance to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
