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One dead after building collapses during demolition at Mombasa school
The entrance to the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital. Those injured in the demolition incident are receiving treatment at the hospital.
There was panic at the Star of the Sea Primary School in Mombasa after a building collapsed, killing one person.
The incident, which occurred at around 10 am, temporarily paralysed learning activities at the institution as police and first responders rushed to the scene for a search and rescue exercise.
Mombasa Urban sub-County Police Commander Nicholas Chalulot confirmed that the worker had succumbed to his injuries and that his body had been retrieved and taken to the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary.
"We only know him by his single name so far, but we are in the process of notifying his family," said Mr Chalulot.
Police say preliminary findings indicate that the man was among other workers contracted to bring down the old building and pave the way for the construction of a new learning block. The officers also confirmed that the area had been cordoned off to ensure the safety of the learners.
"They started the demolition exercise on Saturday and were bringing down the last wall when the incident occurred," he added.
According to Deputy Director of Inspectorate in Mombasa County, Mr Charles Changawa, investigations have already commenced to establish the events surrounding the incident.
"At the moment we cannot authoritatively comment on the matter as it is under investigation and we are waiting for the police officers to give us their final report before we submit our final position on the matter," said Mr Changawa.
On her part, the chairperson of the Mombasa Women Empowerment for Mental Treatment and Rehabilitation Center, Ms Amina Abdallah, said three other workers who were with the deceased are still in shock. They have received trauma counseling to help them regain their sense of safety and control after witnessing the death of their colleague.
The demolition exercise at the school has been temporarily suspended as investigations continue.
