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Kenyan efforts to rescue trapped | Kenyan efforts to rescue trapped |
(about 10 hours later) | |
Rescue efforts are continuing to save about 20 builders trapped after a multi-story building collapsed on the outskirts of Kenya's capital, Nairobi. | Rescue efforts are continuing to save about 20 builders trapped after a multi-story building collapsed on the outskirts of Kenya's capital, Nairobi. |
At least seven bodies have been pulled from the wreckage in Kiambu town, where the building was under construction. | |
The Red Cross told the BBC 18 people had been rescued and taken to hospital. | The Red Cross told the BBC 18 people had been rescued and taken to hospital. |
It is not clear what caused the collapse, but correspondents say Kenyan building companies are often criticised for flouting safety regulations. | It is not clear what caused the collapse, but correspondents say Kenyan building companies are often criticised for flouting safety regulations. |
Relatives of people feared trapped have gone to the site hoping to see their loved ones pulled out alive. | |
Titus Munguo of the Kenyan Red Cross society told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme that time was running out for people to be saved. | |
"If one more night is taken, we can only rescue bodies, not somebody alive." | |
Substandard buildings | |
Up to 50 workers were believed to have been on site at the time of the collapse. | Up to 50 workers were believed to have been on site at the time of the collapse. |
Some of those trapped have made mobile phone calls to alert relatives. | Some of those trapped have made mobile phone calls to alert relatives. |
The incident is not the first building collapse in Nairobi | The incident is not the first building collapse in Nairobi |
A reporter for the Associated Press news agency said he saw a woman's body in the wreckage, while one rescued man told AP several people had been in the room with him when the building collapsed. | A reporter for the Associated Press news agency said he saw a woman's body in the wreckage, while one rescued man told AP several people had been in the room with him when the building collapsed. |
There have been suggestions that recent heavy rain in the area could have weakened the five-storey structure. | |
Kenya's architecture association last week issued a report, saying that 65% of the country's buildings do not meet the required standards. | |
One eyewitness reported hearing a loud bang when the building cracked before it collapsed. | |
The BBC's Will Ross in Nairobi says the incident was not the first of its kind in recent years. | The BBC's Will Ross in Nairobi says the incident was not the first of its kind in recent years. |
Following the collapse of other buildings, there were calls for stricter building regulations to be enforced, says our correspondent. | |
But Nairobi is currently experiencing a construction boom, and companies are often criticised for cutting corners and failing to enforce strict safety measures as profitable high rises spring up over the city, he adds. | But Nairobi is currently experiencing a construction boom, and companies are often criticised for cutting corners and failing to enforce strict safety measures as profitable high rises spring up over the city, he adds. |