Nairobi tower collapse leaves five to seven missing
SingTao · 2 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A mixed-use high-rise under construction in Nairobi’s densely populated Eastleigh area collapsed at about 1pm on October 23, triggering a major rescue operation. Video from the scene showed lower supports apparently giving way before the structure dropped almost straight down, throwing up a huge dust cloud across nearby streets. Kenyan authorities said most of the 66 to 67 workers on site escaped, while several people linked to ground-floor shops or the surrounding area were still unaccounted for. Rescue teams used heavy machinery and cutting tools as officials warned that damage to adjacent buildings could create a further collapse risk.
Key Points
- The building was in Eastleigh’s 9th Street, a busy Nairobi district, and was described as a 16-storey mixed-use project under construction
- Footage indicated the lower columns failed first, after which the tower collapsed vertically in seconds and blanketed surrounding roads with dust.
- Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said 11 shops on the ground floor and basement were occupied when the collapse happened.
- Officials said 66 of 67 workers escaped safely and one was injured, while reports on the missing ranged from five to seven people.
- Rescuers deployed excavators, saws and security forces, and police used tear gas after looting and crowd disorder were reported nearby.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the collapse is a reminder that rapid urban construction can outpace enforcement if approvals, inspections and site safety are weak. The Kenyan audit cited by local reporting said 87% of inspected buildings last year failed safety standards or lacked necessary approvals, underscoring how regulatory gaps can turn a single site failure into a wider urban hazard