Many feared trapped as a tall building collapses in Kenya

A multi-story building (over 10 floors) under construction collapsed on Friday in the bustling commercial district of Eastleigh in Nairobi, Kenya, leaving many individuals feared trapped under the rubble. Emergency response efforts by the Kenya Red Cross and local authorities were severely hampered as police had to deploy tear gas to disperse crowds.

Nairobi:  A tall building collapsed on Friday in a busy commercial area of Kenya’s capital, with many people feared trapped beneath the rubble.

The building was under construction when it collapsed along a busy commercial street in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area, which is often crowded with thousands of traders and residents.

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Nairobi police chief Issa Mohamud said the building had more than 10 floors under construction. Rescue operations were complicated, with police firing tear gas at people who had begun looting neighboring shops, as officers sought to clear the area and provide access to emergency response teams.

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

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.