Update: Murang'a County Commissioner Patrick Mukuria stated on Tuesday, June 20, morning that four people were reported dead, 3 rescued, 7 still missing as search and rescue operations continued are ongoing.
Several people were trapped under a three-storey building under construction at the Sagana area in Murang'a Town on Monday, June 19.
Four individuals had been rescued since the evacuation began around 5:00 pm and were rushed to Murang'a Level Five Hospital.
Over 10 individuals working at the site were feared to have been buried under debris after the building collapsed.
Scenes at Murang'a after a 3-storey building collapsed on June 19, 2023.
Photo
Irungu Kang'ata
Reports indicated that the individuals trapped under the building were screaming for help, enabling the rescue team to identify their locations.
The Murang'a rescue team stated that the mission was hampered by the huge crowd that gathered at the scene. Police were thus deployed to man traffic and cordon off the area
At the same time, a scuffle ensued for a moment as the residents complained that the process was slow. However, police officers explained that the rescue team built temporary structures to hold the building and prevent it from collapsing further.
"The residents were angry because the rescue team was taking too long and they began throwing stones at them, forcing the police officers to intervene," an eyewitness claimed.
However, he hinted that the approval process was flawed as the building was built near a water catchment area.
"Better approval considerations should have been made considering the riparian area. Action will be taken against any culprit involved in this case.
"Murang'a County Government expresses condolences to the families of persons affected by this unfortunate incident. We share in their grief," Kang'ata stated.
Scenes at Murang'a after a 3-storey building collapsed on June 19, 2023.
Photo
Irungu Kang'ata
