Eastleigh Building Collapse: What Forced Rescuers to Halt Search for Trapped Survivors

Rescue operations at the collapsed building in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area took an unexpected turn on Friday evening, October 23, after concerns emerged over the safety of people still trapped beneath the rubble.

Emergency teams temporarily suspended excavation at around 6pm following reports that trapped victims had warned that the ongoing digging was affecting their oxygen supply.

The development forced rescuers to stop removing debris as they held urgent discussions on how to proceed without putting the lives of possible survivors at greater risk.

For families waiting for news of their loved ones, the situation has added to the anxiety surrounding the disaster.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja confirmed that one woman had been pulled out alive from the collapsed structure. He also disclosed that rescue workers had heard voices coming from beneath the debris, raising hopes that other people could still be alive.

According to the governor, emergency teams had been removing debris carefully to allow fresh air to reach those trapped inside. However, the latest concerns prompted them to reconsider their approach.

The number of people still trapped remained unclear by Friday evening.

A casual labourer who had worked at the construction site claimed that more than 70 people, including workers and food vendors, might have been inside the basement when the building came down. Authorities had not independently verified the figure.

The structure had reportedly reached 18 floors before collapsing along Yusuf Haji Avenue, next to Day to Day Supermarket on 9th Street.

Meanwhile, attention has turned to the circumstances surrounding the construction and the people responsible for the project.

Sakaja revealed that Nairobi County had approved the building but that it did not have an occupation certificate. The document is required before a building can be occupied.

Authorities have launched a manhunt for the owner, who had reportedly not presented himself to the police.

Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamed warned that anyone found responsible for the collapse would face legal consequences.

The governor also raised concerns about developers who allegedly replace qualified professionals after obtaining construction approval, potentially leaving projects under the supervision of individuals whose qualifications have not been verified.

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has called for an independent investigation into the approval process, citing concerns about possible corruption, negligence and failures in enforcing safety regulations.

Rescue personnel from the Kenya Defence Forces, police, the General Service Unit, Kenya Red Cross and other agencies were deployed to the scene, using excavators, concrete breakers and sniffer dogs.

As the search continues, the biggest concern remains whether more people can be reached safely. Do you think an independent investigation could help establish what went wrong before the building collapsed?

Source:https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/128812-authorities-launch-manhunt-collapsed-eastleigh-building-owner-approval-details-emerge?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=KI&fbclid=Iwb21leAVIV-xjbGNrBUhXvGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHBkb2YBc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMzUwNjg1NTMxNzI4AAEewvCfhG_Z_r8iDiYPPNRWPlGepKO8t_g4DWOWKTUbVGtipAz0cbaqSJrGhAw_aem_wsAXKel2URUvDd09iZZ8mA

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