NAIROBI, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan emergency responders rescued one person after a multi-storey building under construction collapsed in the Nairobi suburb of Eastleigh on Friday, intensifying search operations for individuals feared trapped.
Authorities confirmed that the rescued woman is in stable condition, though they have yet to determine the exact number of casualties or individuals trapped beneath the rubble.
Police reported that the structure collapsed at approximately 1:00 p.m. local time (1000 GMT), immediately raising fears for construction workers and pedestrians trapped beneath the debris.
Emergency personnel quickly cordoned off the area to coordinate rescue efforts as concerns mounted over potential casualties.
The Kenya Red Cross Society confirmed that emergency response operations are ongoing at the site of the collapsed building along 9th Street, First Avenue in Eastleigh, a high-density commercial and residential suburb of Nairobi.
"Kenya Red Cross teams are working alongside multi-agency partners to support search and rescue operations," it said.
The building was still under construction, with shops and rental units already operating on the lower floors, according to initial accounts from the scene.
Emergency responders have deployed heavy machinery to clear debris and assist rescue teams in reaching potential survivors.
Fears persisted that workers and other occupants may have been inside the structure at the time of the collapse, as authorities worked to determine whether anyone remained trapped.
The sudden collapse shook the bustling commercial hub, rapidly drawing large crowds of local traders, shoppers, and residents.
Authorities have yet to determine whether the impact compromised adjacent buildings.
Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud said authorities were still gathering information about the collapse as emergency teams raced to the scene.
Mohamud said police fired tear gas to clear a crowd that had blocked roads and prevented emergency vehicles from reaching the site. Local media reported attempts to scavenge scrap metal from the debris.
Authorities have not said what caused the collapse or whether the building had the required construction approvals.
Dozens of workers have died in similar structural failures across Kenya in recent years.
The latest incident highlights a recurring crisis in Kenya, where several incomplete structures have caved in recent months, frequently resulting in casualties.
Building experts have repeatedly criticized regulatory authorities for lax oversight, citing widespread failures to enforce construction codes and conduct routine inspections.
In response to previous disasters, authorities have repeatedly urged developers, contractors, and regulatory bodies to strictly adhere to safety standards to safeguard workers and the public. ■