Building collapses in Nairobi with many feared trapped
A multi-storey building under construction collapsed in Nairobi Friday, trapping many workers.
A tall building under construction collapsed Friday afternoon in Nairobi's Eastleigh area, leaving about a dozen floors stacked like crushed pancakes. Many workers are feared trapped beneath the rubble, though the exact number remains unknown.
Police chief Issa Mohamud warned of a possible secondary collapse, as the damaged building is leaning against its neighbour. One woman was rescued and hospitalised; another person who called for help later went silent.
Plasterer Joseph Kaula escaped from the fifth floor just before the collapse and suspects colleagues in the basement are trapped. Rescue operations were hampered when police fired tear gas to stop looting of neighbouring shops.
Building collapses are a recurring problem in Nairobi, with authorities repeatedly failing to conduct adequate safety inspections.
- Friday at about 1pm local time
- When
- Eastleigh area, Nairobi, Kenya
- Where
- One woman rescued and hospitalised
- Rescued
Why it mattersMany workers may be dead or injured, and rescue efforts face the ongoing risk of secondary collapse.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet, though construction safety failures of this scale signal global industry risks.
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