Seven missing after multi-storey building collapses in Kenya's capital
Rescue efforts are under way to find people trapped under the block, which was still under construction when it buckled.
Seven individuals are believed to be trapped beneath the wreckage of a multi-story building that collapsed in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi. Dramatic video footage captures the sudden loss of the bottom floor, believed to be part of a structure with 16 or 18 floors. The building was under construction when the disaster struck on Friday afternoon, and scaffolding remained visible outside.
Eleven shops had already opened on the ground floor before the collapse, while the interior ministry reported that 66 out of 67 workers managed to escape with minor injuries. The missing individuals are thought to have been in the shops at the base of the structure. Rescue teams face challenges accessing the trapped workers, with concerns that excavation could further limit their air supply.
Officials from Kenya's National Construction Authority have identified the development company, architect, and structural engineer, but it is unclear if the site had been inspected prior to the collapse. Nairobi's Governor has urged the national government to enforce stricter penalties for developers who disregard approved building plans and safety regulations.
Building collapses are not an uncommon occurrence in Nairobi, often attributed to inadequate construction or improper planning.
Written by urgent.news from BBC World's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
