A multi-story building collapsed in Nairobi, raising fears of casualties and sparking concerns over construction safety in Kenya.
Building collapse in Nairobi
A multi-story building under construction collapsed in the Eastleigh neighborhood of Nairobi on Friday, raising fears of casualties. The incident occurred around 1:40 p.m. local time on Yusuf Haji Avenue, according to the Kenyan Red Cross. The collapse caused a large cloud of dust in the heavily frequented area of the Kenyan capital. Rescue teams were quickly dispatched to the site to search for potential victims, as several people could be trapped under the rubble. Images shared on social media show a crowd gathered around the collapsed building, and looting has also been reported at the site. Uncertain number of floors
The exact number of floors remains uncertain, with some reports mentioning a building that could reach 18 levels, while others suggest between 10 and 18 floors. According to Reuters, the ground floor was occupied at the time of the collapse. At this stage, no official casualty figures have been released. Rapid urban growth in Nairobi
This new collapse occurs in a context of strong real estate expansion in Nairobi, where high-rise constructions are multiplying to meet demographic growth. The causes of the accident have not yet been determined. Concerns over construction safety
This tragedy has reignited concerns about construction safety in Kenya, where several deadly collapses have already raised questions about building quality and the enforcement of standards.