At least four dead in Kenya building collapse
A SIX-STOREY building has collapsed in Kenya’s capital on Friday, officials said, with at least four people killed and others trapped in the debris.
People cheered as one dustcovered person was carried away on a stretcher, one arm outstretched.
Shortly afterwards the crowd hushed as another person was carried away but covered completely by a blanket.
Later another two people were carried away, one with their head uncovered and the other completely shrouded.
Nairobi county police chief Philip Ndolo said at least 10 people had been rescued by residents of Tassia estate using their bare hands.
Military personnel arrived to assist with the search and rescue operation.
It was not immediately clear what caused the morning collapse.
Hundreds of people gathered to watch from nearby buildings as emergency personnel prodded at the pancaked concrete structure.
Medical workers set up an impromptu centre in tin-roofed stalls nearby while a line of ambulances waited.
One covered body was seen there on the ground.
Building collapses are common in Nairobi, where housing is in high demand and unscrupulous developers often bypass regulations.
After eight buildings collapsed and killed 15 people in Kenya in 2015, President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered an audit of all the country’s buildings to see if they were up to scratch.