Death toll in collapsed Nairobi building rises to four after three bodies were retrieved from the rubble

Nairobi, Kenya: The death toll from the collapsed Kaloleni building in Nairobi has increased to four.

The first victim died Tuesday as he was being taken to hospital while three bodies were retrieved Wednesday night several hours after the house had collapsed.

The search for more survivors and bodies continued Thursday and residents say there are limited resources to help those carrying out the exercise.

“Three bodies were recovered last night (Wednesday). Fatalities stand at four and search and rescue is ongoing,” said Kenya Red Cross, which is among emergency service providers at the scene.

The building collapsed Wednesday morning trapping almost 20 people and so far 10 people have been rescued alive.

Rescuers said they were in communication with “people’ who were trapped in the building and it may take long to clear the rubble.

• .

  Keep Reading

• 
  Tower of Babel: More questions on Sh9.9b offices ahead of opening
• 
  Senator Cherargei questions Bunge Towers 14-year construction period
• 
  Civil servants face the axe as Ruto seeks to ease ballooning wage bill
• 
  Court stops construction of Mau Mau road

Even though it was under construction, the first, second and third floors had been occupied.

Each floor had five single rooms. Most of the occupants were students of Technical University and some had left for the Christmas holiday.

The building is among many that lie on a disputed wetland. Residents had protested the construction of the buildings in the area saying the land was a public utility and had been grabbed.

Police said they are looking for the owner of the building which was occupied as other floors were still under construction.