Several people have been trapped after a building in the Gateway area of Mathare North, Nairobi County collapsed on Wednesday.
Among the first responders to the emergency was the Kenya Red Cross, who are currently leading the rescue efforts at the site.
The Kenya Red Cross Nairobi Branch in a statement on June 12 said the four storey building that collapsed was undergoing demolition.
Kenya Red Cross further noted that at least five people are feared trapped beneath the rubble adding that rescue operations have since been launched.
“A four-storey building under demolition has reportedly collapsed in Mathare North, Gateway area, Nairobi County. Five people are suspected to be trapped beneath the rubble,” read part of the statement.
The rescue team further confirmed its presence on the scene, maintaining that it is actively assisting in search and rescue operations.
Kenya Red Cross Update on Mathare Building Collapse
Following the collapse, the Kenya Red Cross Nairobi branch has since issued an update at around 5pm Wednesady noting that two casualties have since been rescued and evacuated to a nearby medical facility.
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“Two casualties have been rescued and evacuated to Blue House Dispensary, while two more people are suspected to be trapped. Search and rescue operations are still ongoing,” said Kenya Red Cross.
At the time of reporting, it is not clear what caused the collapse, but preliminary reports indicate that the trapped persons had gone to the building under demolition to look for scrap metals.
As per the photos circulating on the internet and seen by The Kenya Times, the emergency crew will need special tools to claw through the rubble and pull the victims to safety and on time.
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The collapse comes after another building in the Mathare North area collapsed in May leaving several people feared trapped beneath its rubble.
Mathare demolitions
Kenya Red Cross back then in a statement also announced that the collapsed building was under demolition, saying that it had dug four people out of the building debris.
Three people back then were rushed to a nearby health facility for urgent medical attention as one other was in stable condition with minor injuries.
“Four people have been rescued after being trapped under the rubble of a collapsed building that was under demolition in Area 1, Mathare North, thanks to a multi-agency rescue team,” the Kenya Red Cross said.
The ongoing demolitions in Mathare are in line with a government directive requiring residents living near rivers to relocate to higher ground due to flooding risks.
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