Update: At least four people died, and others sustained varying degrees of injuries after a sewer line collapsed in Nairobi’s Shauri Moyo, according to police report.
Police in a report seen by The Kenya Times said that four bodies have been retrieved beneath the soil following a rescue operation involving officers from Kamukunji Sub County and response teams drawn from Nairobi City County and Kenya Red Cross.
Amongst the four retrieved bodies, three were yet to be unidentified. National Police Service Spokesperson Dr. Resila Onyango while speaking to The Kenya Times said that the scene was processed by detectives and that the retrieved bodies have been moved to City Mortuary awaiting identification and autopsy
Several casualties were reported following the collapse of an excavation site in the Shauri Moyo Area of Kenya’s capital Nairobi.
Kenya Red Cross, in a statement on early Friday, September 13 morning said that six people were feared trapped in the debris, adding that a response team had been dispatched at the scene.
“An excavation site has collapsed in Shauri Moyo, Nairobi County. Six people are feared to be trapped,” said Kenya Red Cross
“Response teams are en route to the scene.”
Kenya Red Cross first reported of the incident at around 02:50am. At the time, it said that two people had been rescued by community members while 6 were feared to be trapped.
In addition, Kenya Red Cross said that response teams had been deployed at the scene.
Update on Shauri Moyo excavation site collapse
However, the agency’s Nairobi branch has since issued an update on the Shauri Moyo incident.
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The branch in a statement said that a total of 3 casualties have been evacuated and rushed to a hospital, adding that the operation has been called off.
“A total of 3 casualties have been evacuated to Mama Lucy Hospital by Nairobi County Ambulances. The operation has been called off.”
The incident comes months after Nairobi City County government announced the lifting of a ban on deep excavation activities within the city.
Ban on deep excavations
The ban which was a precautionary measure taken after heavy rains caused hazardous conditions at several construction sites had been instituted on April 29 by Governor Johnson Sakaja.
At the time, City Hall asserted that the measures were aimed at averting collapses and fatalities.
The adverse weather had prompted a halt to all deep excavation activities to prevent further loss and ensure public safety.
Also Read: Sakaja Lifts Suspension of Building Plans, Forms Special Team
However, County Chief Officer for Urban Development and Planning, Patrick Analo in May announced that developers are now permitted to resume their projects following the cessation of the heavy rains.
“Developers are urged to exercise the utmost caution to ensure the safety of all neighboring structures,” stated Analo.
The lifting of the ban also came with strict safety conditions which were aimed at preventing future incidents.
Analo further emphasized that only projects with the necessary approvals will be allowed to continue their deep excavation work.
The County Government mandated that project architects, civil engineers, and private developers collaborate with government bodies responsible for site inspections.
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