In some news that has brought much-needed relief to the Uthiru community, the four persons who were previously reported missing, after a five-story building in Nairobi's Mountain View Ward collapsed on Tuesday evening, have finally been accounted for.
This is according to a recent statement issued by the Nairobi City County confirming that the 4 individuals were rescued.
"As at 11:30PM all tenants are accounted for, including the four missing persons initially reported," the statement read.
A desperate search for the four ensued after the building crumbled leaving the residents distraught.
The Espsom Apartments, located along Naivasha Road near the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), collapsed Tuesday evening, sending shockwaves through the community.
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"A five-story building has collapsed in Nairobi's Mountain View Ward, Westlands Sub County, along Naivasha Road, near the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)," a statement issued by the Nairobi City County read.
Emergency responders from Nairobi City County raced to the scene, where a race against time was on to locate the missing residents.
As of 10:00 PM, all families except the four had been accounted for.
They included a young girl, heartbreakingly confirmed to be home alone at the time of the collapse by her distraught father.
Another household was in search of their beloved nanny and two children.
"The four missing persons include a nanny and two children from one household, as well as a 10-year-old girl from another residence," the statement read further.
"The father of the girl has arrived at the scene and informed the responders that the girl was home alone."
County officials remained determined to locate the missing individuals as rescue efforts continued with the Nairobi City County Government mobilizing specialized equipment to aid in the search.
"Rescuing efforts continue, and the Nairobi City County Government has mobilised specialised equipment," said Bramwel Simiyu, Chief Officer of Disaster Management for the Nairobi City County Government.
"Further updates will be provided in due course."
The cause of the collapse remains shrouded in mystery.
A thorough investigation is slated to begin on Wednesday to determine what triggered the catastrophic event.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of building safety regulations.
As anxious residents await news of the missing, the search continues through the night, a beacon of hope amidst the devastation.
