*Updated at 3:20pm to reflect rise in death toll
The death toll has risen to nine after a crane crumbled at a construction site in Hurlingham, Nairobi, on Thursday.
The site, which is opposite the Department of Defence headquarters, was a construction site for Qwetu Residences.
The building has 14 floors and can accommodate 700 residents.
Evacuation is underway.
A carpenter at the site, Michael Odhiambo, said 10 people were affected.
He said the workers were dismantling the crane after completing work when it crumbled about 70 meters down.
“We were almost breaking for lunch when it came down. One worker was left hanging for a while without help before he also fell down,” said Odhiambo.
By 2:30pm, Kilimani OCPD Muturi Mbogo said the bodies were yet to be removed because the scene was being documented.
“We have at least eight bodies at the site after the crane collapsed as it was being dismantled. Investigators are working to know how and why it happened,” he said.
Mbogo said the contractor had completed the outer works and was removing the crane when the incident happened at about midday.
Police and military personnel joined in the rescue efforts as the other survivors scampered for safety.
Edited by CM
