Unknown number of people trapped after building collapses in Bungoma

Those trapped were reportedly harvesting steel irons for commercial purposes.

In Summary
  • Emmanuel Sikuku, an eyewitness, stated that people had been warned against approaching the building, but they failed to heed the instructions.
Collapsed building in Bungoma
Collapsed building in Bungoma
Image: TONY WAFULA

An unknown number of people have been trapped in a building at Kanduyi market in Bungoma County after the structure, which was initially half-demolished, collapsed.

The building was partially demolished last weekend as part of the expansion and renovation of Masinde Muliro Stadium for this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations.

Those trapped were reportedly harvesting steel irons for commercial purposes.

Emmanuel Sikuku, an eyewitness, stated that people had been warned against approaching the building, but they failed to heed the instructions.

He added that the building had shown signs of imminent collapse.

Rescue operations are still going on.

The incident has happened barely a wee after another building collapsed in Uthiru on Tuesday.

Red Cross said 10 people with minor injuries were rescued and attended to at the scene by its Action Team.

Nairobi county disaster management chief officer, Bramwel Simiyu, said all families except four persons had been accounted for as at 10pm.

"The four missing persons include a nanny and two children from one household, as well as a 10-year-old girl from another residence. The father of the girl has arrived at the scene and informed the responders that the girl was home alone," Simiyu said. 

Collapsed building in Bungoma
Collapsed building in Bungoma
Image: TONY WAFULA

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