Photos & Videos: Multi-storey building collapses in Eastleigh, several people trapped

The incident forced most of the shops to close, bringing business activities to a standstill. Hundreds of people gathered at the scene to witness the incident, amid heavy police presence.

A multi-storey building has collapsed on 9th Street, First Avenue in Eastleigh. (Photo: Justine Ondieki)A multi-storey building has collapsed on 9th Street, First Avenue in Eastleigh. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)

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Exclusive: The exact moment when the building under construction came tumbling down in Eastleigh, Nairobi, on Friday. pic.twitter.com/BOI2P4zfpd

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Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja also arrived at the scene and vowed that action will be taken against the owners of the building."We’ve heard people communicating from inside. We're opening up a space so there's oxygen, and then we can get the proper estimates of what else needs to be done," he said.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja says action will be taken against the owners of the building that collapsed in Eastleigh, Nairobi.

Sakaja: We’ve heard people communicating from inside. We're opening up a space so there's oxygen, and then we can get the proper estimates of what… pic.twitter.com/POME4HEr57A multi-storey building has collapsed on 9th Street, First Avenue in Eastleigh. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)The incident forced most of the shops to close, bringing business activities to a standstill. Hundreds of people gathered at the scene to witness the incident, amid heavy police presence.

BREAKING NEWS: Several feared trapped after a building under construction collapses on 9th Street in Eastleigh. pic.twitter.com/8BrQRkpxWP

Police were forced to fire tear gas to disperse the surging crowd, sparking more chaos at the scene.Police were forced to fire tear gas to disperse the surging crowd, sparking more chaos at the scene. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)Police were forced to fire tear gas to disperse the surging crowd, sparking more chaos at the scene. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)Police were forced to fire tear gas to disperse the surging crowd, sparking more chaos at the scene. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)The cause of the building collapse was not immediately known.A multi-storey building has collapsed on 9th Street, First Avenue in Eastleigh. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)

Chaos erupted in Eastleigh after an 18-storey building collapsed on 9th Street, First Avenue in Nairobi. Emergency crews are carrying out rescue operations as they search for survivors, with large crowds gathered at the scene. pic.twitter.com/Nl4QbwSFjr

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino also questioned the construction standards and the enforcement of building regulations in Nairobi."This tragedy raises serious questions about construction standards and the enforcement of building regulations in Nairobi. The County Government must explain how such buildings receive approval and whether proper inspections are conducted," he said.The incident forced most of the shops to close, bringing business activities to a standstill. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud said investigations are ongoing to establish whether there was criminal negligence. He also confirmed that one woman was heard crying from beneath the rubble."Investigations will be carried out to establish who is responsible for any negligence or criminal negligence. If there are any deaths resulting from negligence, those responsible could face murder charges. Whoever owns the building or authorised its construction will be charged accordingly," he said.The incident forced most of the shops to close, bringing business activities to a standstill. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)

Rescue operations begin after a multi-storey building collapses along 9th Street, First Avenue, in Eastleigh, Nairobi. pic.twitter.com/MXDP8nOfPJ

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