Several people are feared trapped after a 14-storey building under construction collapsed in the Eastleigh district of Nairobi on Friday, triggering a major rescue operation.
The incident occurred along 8th Street, according to an alert by Geoffrey Mosiria, a former Nairobi County chief officer, who said people were trapped inside and appealed for emergency responders to be deployed.
“A 14-storey building has reportedly collapsed in Eastleigh 8th street, trapping people inside,” Mr Mosiria wrote on X.
The Kenya Red Cross and other emergency agencies were deployed to the scene, as business activities in the busy commercial district were brought to a standstill. Local media, DW Africa, reported the collapse occurred near Yusuf Haji Avenue, causing major traffic disruption.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the number of people trapped, injured or killed, nor the cause of the collapse. It is also unclear whether the building had obtained the necessary construction approvals.
The collapse comes just days after another incident in the capital. On 17 October, a building housing Club Avenida on Moi Avenue collapsed during a planned demolition ahead of redevelopment. Nairobi County authorities said four workers were injured in that incident.
In the latest collapse, residents and traders gathered at the scene as rescue teams searched through the rubble. Authorities say an investigation will be carried out to determine the cause and assess compliance with construction safety regulations.
