Search and rescue operations are ongoing at the site of a building collapse along 1st Avenue, 9th Street, in Eastleigh, Nairobi, as emergency response teams continue efforts to establish whether more people are trapped beneath the rubble.
Two people injured in the incident have been taken to Kenyatta National Hospital for treatment, while 26 people who had earlier been reported missing have since been traced and accounted for.
Rescue teams remain at the scene alongside multi-agency partners coordinating the emergency response, as authorities work to establish the full extent of the incident.
A tracing desk has also been set up at the site to assist families searching for their missing relatives. Members of the public seeking information about loved ones have been urged to contact the response teams through the toll-free number 1199.
The collapse triggered panic in the busy Eastleigh neighbourhood, with onlookers gathering near the scene as emergency responders worked to manage the situation.
Earlier reports indicated that the building was still under construction, with witnesses claiming it had reached approximately the 18th floor before the collapse. The exact circumstances leading to the incident, however, remain unclear.
The situation at the scene was also marked by confusion as large crowds gathered to witness the rescue operation. Police were forced to use tear gas to disperse the crowd and restore order, amid concerns that the congestion could interfere with emergency response efforts.
The incident also caused significant traffic disruption along roads leading into and out of the area as motorists and pedestrians struggled to navigate the scene.
There were also reports of disorder, with witnesses alleging that some individuals began looting and pelting stones at ambulances, forcing some emergency vehicles to divert as responders attempted to reach the affected area.
Authorities have not yet provided a comprehensive account of the number of people who were inside the building at the time of the collapse or confirmed whether anyone remains trapped beneath the debris.
Rescue operations are continuing as emergency teams work to account for all those who may have been affected.
Families searching for missing relatives have been advised to visit the tracing desk at the site or call the toll-free emergency line 1199 for assistance.
Further updates are expected as the multi-agency response continues and more information becomes available.
