Multi-storey building under construction collapses in Nairobi, many feared trapped

A multi-storey building has collapsed in a busy commercial area of Kenya's capital, Nairobi. Many people could be trapped beneath the rubble, it is feared.

The building collapsed on Friday. It was under construction at the time. The site is along a busy commercial street in Nairobi's Eastleigh area, which is often crowded with thousands of traders and residents.

Nairobi police chief Issa Mohamud said the building had more than 10 floors under construction. The collapse of such a large structure under construction in a busy area made rescue operations complicated from the start.

Rescue operations were further complicated by a side incident. Police said they fired tear gas at people who had begun looting neighbouring shops. The step was taken to clear the area and provide access for emergency response teams.

The Kenya Red Cross said its teams were on their way to the site. The organisation urged people at the site to give responders space to work safely.

Exactly how many people are trapped, or the number of casualties, was not confirmed in the information available for this report. That picture will become clearer as rescue work progresses.

Building collapses are a recurring problem in Nairobi. County officials responsible for issuing building permits have been accused of failing to conduct adequate inspections to ensure developers comply with safety guidelines and construction standards.

Against that backdrop, every collapse raises the same questions again — why gaps in approval, inspection and quality control persist. This incident has brought those questions to the fore once more.

A collapse in a busy commercial area poses a risk not only to people inside the building but also to pedestrians, traders and residents nearby. The crowds in the Eastleigh area make that risk even greater.

Rescuers are trying to clear the rubble and reach those trapped. Once Red Cross teams arrive, rescue and first-aid work is expected to become more organised.

In the next stage, questions will arise about why the building collapsed and whether there were defects or irregularities in its construction. For now, all attention is on rescuing those trapped beneath the rubble.