Several feared trapped after building collapse in Nairobi’s Eastleigh district
On October 23, a multi-storey building under construction collapsed in Eastleigh, Nairobi, with several people feared trapped. Emergency teams, including the Kenya Red Cross, have been dispatched to the scene amid reports of casualties and looting. The cause of the collapse remains unknown.
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A multi-storey building under construction collapsed on October 23 around 1:40 p.m. local time in Eastleigh, a busy residential and commercial district in Nairobi, Kenya, with several people feared trapped.
The Kenya Red Cross confirmed that emergency teams were dispatched to the scene. Videos circulating online showed the building crashing down, sending large clouds of dust into the air.
Local media reported that despite ongoing construction, shops and rental units were operating on the lower floors. There are reports of possible casualties and looting, with large crowds gathering at the site, complicating rescue efforts. Police used tear gas to disperse onlookers and clear access for emergency responders.
The exact number of people trapped or injured is unclear, and reports vary on the building’s height, with some suggesting it could have been as high as 18 storeys. The cause of the collapse has not yet been established.
Eastleigh is a densely populated commercial hub known for its large Somali community. The incident occurs amid a rapid construction boom in Nairobi, where high-rise buildings are increasingly changing the city skyline.