Three People Confirmed Dead, Several Feared Trapped as 5-Story Building Collapses in Nairobi

Three people have been confirmed dead after a five-story building collapsed in Huruma Estate, Nairobi early Sunday morning.

The National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU) said one of the victims passed away while being taken to hospital while the others was retrieved from the rubble. The three bodies, including that of an expectant were taken to Chiromo Mortuary.

Three other people were rushed to hospital as a multi-agency team continues with search and rescue mission. The ill-fated structure is said to have caved in at around 1.30am. The disaster management team was forced to bring down one side of temporary residential structures to create access for the rescue operation.

“National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU) appeals to the members of the public to cooperate with the agencies on the ground to allow a smooth operation. We mind safety for all. Otherwise we have mobilized all the needed resources,” NDMU said in a statement.

The rescue team constitutes officials from the military, police, National Youth Service, St John Ambulance, Red Cross, and Nairobi County.

Several people are feared trapped in the debris. 11 of the 12 families that had been residing in the building are yet to be accounted for, while tenants in the adjacent buildings have been evacuated. 

The building is said to have been marked for demolition by the National Construction Authority (NCA).