Nairobi collapse death toll reaches four
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Capital FM
Two new bodies were found in the rubble of a building that collapsed on 23 October in Nairobi’s Eastleigh, bringing the death toll to four. Four people were rescued, while 16 remain missing after more than a week of searches, according to Kenyan police and rescue services.
The death toll from the collapse of a building in Nairobi’s Eastleigh neighbourhood rose to four after two new bodies were found on Thursday 5 November, according to Kenyan police. The remains, those of an adult woman and a man, were found during overnight operations in the rubble of the building on 9th Street.
Rescue teams recovered the two bodies at around 1.30am and 3.30am. Forensic police investigators processed the scene before the remains were transferred to the city mortuary, where post-mortem examinations and identification procedures are to be carried out, Capital FM reports.
The building collapsed on 23 October, trapping workers and other people under the concrete. Four people were brought out alive from the wreckage, according to the National Police Service. About 90% of the debris has been cleared, but searches are continuing, particularly on the lower levels and in the basement.
The Kenya Red Cross and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations have recorded 16 people who are still missing. Nairobi North County Commissioner Simon Osumba said telephone data had confirmed that nine of them were in the building shortly before the collapse. The authorities are investigating four other cases and are still awaiting the telephone numbers of three families.
The recovery of the two bodies came after two women were found dead under the rubble, announced on 3 November. On 4 November, the authorities estimated that at least 10 people were trapped in the basement.
