Construction workers feared trapped as four-storey building collapses in Kisii
An unknown number of people trapped after a four-storey building under construction collapsed at Itierio area of Kisii.
Rescue efforts are ongoing after a four-storey building collapsed and trapped unknown number of construction workers at Itierio area, Bonchari, in Kisii County on Sunday morning.
At least seven people are suspected to have been trapped under the rubble of the building, which was under construction.
The workers, all men, are said to have been ferrying bricks to the top floors when tragedy struck.
By 2pm, only three people had been pulled out of the rubble and taken to Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital for treatment.
The rescue efforts are jointly being conducted by the Kenyan Red Cross, county enforcement officers, the police and volunteers.
Rescuers faced difficulty due to surging crowds curious to catch a glimpse of the happenings.
Kisii Deputy Governor Elijah Obebo and some members of the County Assembly (MCAs) visited the site.
Authorities are yet to give an official statement on the matter.
Mr Robert Mogaka, who was among the workers in the building but left shortly before it collapsed, thanked God for saving his life.
An unknown number of people trapped after a four-storey building under construction collapsed at Itierio area of Kisii.
"I had left to go and quench my thirst in my house. As I made my way back to the site to carry on with the work, I saw the building crumbling. I asked God to give me strength to run so that I could save my dear life," Mr Mogaka said.
Majority of locals who had arrived immediately after the building collapsed decried what they termed as slow response from the county emergency and disaster teams.
"This building collapsed early in the morning and the special rescue equipment arrived hours later. We do not know where they usually keep them," Mr Amos Misati, a resident, said.
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