Tragedy in Kisii: Several Feared Trapped After Four-Storey Building Collapses in Itierio
A four-storey building under construction in Itierio, Kisii County, collapsed on Saturday, April 6, leaving several people feared trapped under the rubble. The tragic incident occurred around midday, sending shockwaves through the local community and raising urgent questions about building safety standards in the region.
The structure caved in unexpectedly, trapping construction workers and possibly nearby residents. Itierio is located approximately 15 kilometers from Kisii Town along the Kisii-Migori Highway, adjacent to the busy Suneka Market.
Emergency response teams, including police officers and Kisii County Government rescue personnel, were swiftly deployed to the scene. The teams are engaged in ongoing rescue operations, working tirelessly to locate and extract those trapped beneath the debris.
Witnesses reported that the building’s collapse also affected adjacent homes and businesses near Itierio Mixed Primary School. Some of the victims who were pulled from the rubble were rushed to various hospitals in Suneka and Kisii Town.
A preliminary incident report confirmed the impact on nearby businesses, with additional concerns raised about looting in the aftermath of the collapse. “Kisii County emergency rescue teams have arrived at the disaster scene in Itierio, Suneka, where scores are feared trapped following the collapse of a storey building. Businesses around the area have been affected, with reports of looting,” the report noted.
The Kisii County Government is expected to issue a comprehensive statement later today, shedding light on the cause of the collapse and providing updates on the number of casualties and ongoing rescue efforts.
This incident comes just days after a separate building scare in Mombasa, where residents of an 11-storey building near Coast General Hospital were evacuated after large cracks appeared in the structure. Mombasa County Fire and Disaster Chief Officer Ibrahim Basafar said the building’s basement had already caved in and warned of poor construction standards.
“The building was still under construction, despite being occupied. One floor has already caved in, including the basement. The structure is visibly slanted, and upon close observation, it’s clear the dimensions were not properly followed,” Basafar said.
These back-to-back incidents have raised serious concerns about the quality and regulation of building projects in Kenya, especially in light of heavy rains that have recently affected various regions.
Authorities are urging contractors, developers, and county officials to strictly adhere to building codes and safety standards to prevent future tragedies.
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Tragedy in Kisii: Several Feared Trapped After Four-Storey Building Collapses in Itierio