Several people are feared trapped beneath the rubble of a multi-storey building that collapsed in Nairobi, Kenya, on Friday, October 23, prompting an emergency rescue operation in the densely populated Eastleigh district.
The Kenya Red Cross said the building came down at about 1:40 p.m. local time, adding that emergency response teams had been dispatched to the scene.
Videos circulating online showed the structure collapsing in a cloud of dust, as people in the surrounding area reacted to the incident.
Local media reports indicated that shops and rental units were operating on the lower floors of the building despite construction work still being underway.
The number of people trapped, injured or killed had not been confirmed at the time of reporting. There were also conflicting accounts of the building’s height, with some reports suggesting it could have been as high as 18 storeys.
Rescue efforts were reportedly complicated by large crowds gathering around the collapsed structure, with concerns that the presence of onlookers was restricting emergency workers’ access to the rubble.
Police were said to have used tear gas to disperse the crowd and clear the area for rescue operations.
The cause of the collapse had not been established, and authorities had yet to release a comprehensive account of the incident.
Eastleigh, where the building collapsed, is a busy residential and commercial neighbourhood known for its large Somali community and concentration of businesses.
The incident has renewed attention on building safety in Nairobi, where a rapid construction boom has led to the emergence of numerous high-rise developments across the city.
Further details on casualties and the circumstances surrounding the collapse are expected as emergency teams continue their operations.
