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Kenya flooding: At least seven dead in building collapse | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Rescuers in the Kenyan capital Nairobi are searching for dozens of people feared trapped after the collapse of a seven-storey building in heavy rain. | |
TV coverage from the scene showed a crowd gathering at the Huruma residential estate as rescuers dug for survivors. At least seven people are known to have died. | |
The Red Cross criticised "chaotic scenes" as rescuers arrived. | The Red Cross criticised "chaotic scenes" as rescuers arrived. |
Police told Kenya's KTN network that at least 121 people had been rescued. | |
It is unclear how many people are trapped beneath seven floors of concrete. | |
The rainfall in addition has caused landslides, washed away houses and flooded roads. | The rainfall in addition has caused landslides, washed away houses and flooded roads. |
Police told KTN that 14 people died in the Nairobi rains, including those in the collapse. Another four died when a wall toppled over, officials said. | |
The Huruma neighbourhood is a poor district on the outskirts of Nairobi made up of narrow streets, meaning firefighters struggled to get to the scene and were delayed by large crowds. | The Huruma neighbourhood is a poor district on the outskirts of Nairobi made up of narrow streets, meaning firefighters struggled to get to the scene and were delayed by large crowds. |
After some time, the army took charge of the rescue - with the help of the Kenyan Red Cross. | After some time, the army took charge of the rescue - with the help of the Kenyan Red Cross. |
"We can still hear voices of people who are still inside," Red Cross spokesman Venant Ndigila said. | "We can still hear voices of people who are still inside," Red Cross spokesman Venant Ndigila said. |
Residents said that the building shook violently in the rain before collapsing. | Residents said that the building shook violently in the rain before collapsing. |
Poor building standards are a fact of life in Kenya, correspondents say. A survey carried out last year found that more than half the buildings in the capital were unfit for habitation. | Poor building standards are a fact of life in Kenya, correspondents say. A survey carried out last year found that more than half the buildings in the capital were unfit for habitation. |
The high demand for housing in Nairobi has led to some property developers bypassing building regulations to reduce costs and increase profits. | The high demand for housing in Nairobi has led to some property developers bypassing building regulations to reduce costs and increase profits. |
There has however been some good news for the rescuers who extracted a number of children from the wreckage throughout Friday. | There has however been some good news for the rescuers who extracted a number of children from the wreckage throughout Friday. |
President Uhuru Kenyatta last year ordered an audit of all the buildings in the country after a spate of collapses. | President Uhuru Kenyatta last year ordered an audit of all the buildings in the country after a spate of collapses. |
Meanwhile two boys are missing in another part of the flood-hit country after going herding, according to the Red Cross. | Meanwhile two boys are missing in another part of the flood-hit country after going herding, according to the Red Cross. |