Several feared trapped after 18-story building collapses in Kenya

NAIROBI, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Several people are feared trapped after an 18-story building under construction collapsed Friday afternoon in Eastleigh, a high-density commercial and residential suburb of Nairobi, the Kenyan capital.

Rescuers work at the site of a building collapse accident in Eastleigh, Nairobi, Kenya, Oct. 23, 2026. Several people are feared trapped after an 18-story building under construction collapsed Friday afternoon in Eastleigh, a high-density commercial and residential suburb of Nairobi, the Kenyan capital. (Photo: Xinhua)

Police said the building came crashing down around 1:00 p.m. (1000 GMT), raising fears for construction workers and nearby pedestrians caught beneath the rubble.

Emergency responders and police swiftly secured the scene to coordinate search and rescue operations amid concerns over casualties.

Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud said authorities were still gathering information about the collapse as emergency teams raced to the scene.

This photo taken on Oct. 23, 2026 shows the site of a building collapse accident in Eastleigh, Nairobi, Kenya. Several people are feared trapped after an 18-story building under construction collapsed Friday afternoon in Eastleigh, a high-density commercial and residential suburb of Nairobi, the Kenyan capital. (Photo: Xinhua)