Residents look on as rescuers look for survivors from the rubble of a building that collapsed in Kware, Embakassi PHOTO/nation.co.ke
The death toll from the building that collapsed in Embakassi's Kware estate in Nairobi has risen to two.
This is after a woman who was rescued from the rubble later succumbed while receiving treatment in hospital.
Yesternight, rescuers had retrieved a body of a small child from the debris.
This was confirmed by Nairobi deputy director and communication officer at the National Disaster Management Unit Pius Masai.
On Tuesday evening, the Kenyan military rescue team managed to save two children trapped in the building.
Officials earlier claimed they had evacuated most residents before the tragedy but the incident has now rekindled the controversy over the sprouting unregulated constructions in the city.
"The collapse was not completely unexpected, which allowed us to evacuate most of the people," Red Cross spokeswoman Noellah Musundi said.
Local residents and police revealed that authorities had been alerted on Monday after big cracks appeared in the walls, something that prompted an urgent evacuation.
The building then collapsed two hours later, at around 10pm.
"Most families cooperated and (were) evacuated safely. However, it is believed that some people may have been trapped. Rescue efforts are ongoing," said Masai.