A multi storey building collapsed on Friday in Nairobi, leaving an unknown number of people trapped beneath the rubble, according to local authorities and emergency responders.
Rescue workers were seen digging through debris in search of survivors after the 16 storey building came down in the South C area of the city. The Kenya Red Cross said a multi agency emergency response team had been deployed to the scene.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the collapse or the number of casualties. Officials said fatalities are not expected to be high, though rescue operations were still ongoing.
Building collapses are a recurring problem in Nairobi, driven by rapid urban growth and high demand for housing. Developers frequently bypass regulations or violate building codes, according to construction experts.
In 2015, eight building collapses across Kenya killed at least 15 people, prompting the presidency to order a nationwide audit of structures. The review, conducted by the National Construction Authority, found that 58 percent of buildings in Nairobi were unfit for habitation.