Terrifying Moments as 18-storey Building Collapses in Kenya, Many Feared Trapped

Edited by Vivek Dubey 

TIMESOFINDIA.COM 

Oct 23, 2026, 20:52 IST

The collapse triggered a major emergency response

A multi-storey building under construction collapsed in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, on Friday, leaving a massive pile of concrete and raising fears that several people were trapped beneath the rubble.

The building, which had more than 10 upper floors under construction, collapsed at around 1pm along a busy commercial street in the Eastleigh area. Footage from the scene showed the structure crumbling into a heap of debris, with multiple floors appearing to have collapsed on top of one another.

The 18-storey building was located along 1st Avenue, 9th Street, in a densely populated neighbourhood frequented by traders and residents.

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja confirmed that one person had been rescued from the debris and taken to hospital. Emergency teams continued searching the site for others who may have been trapped.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, who visited the scene with county officials, said rescue workers were carefully clearing sections of the rubble to allow oxygen to reach people who might still be alive beneath the debris.

According to an update from Nairobi City County, the building was still under construction when it collapsed, although its ground floor was already occupied.

Sakaja said the structure did not comply with construction guidelines and vowed that legal action would be taken against its owner. Authorities are expected to investigate whether the building had the required approvals and met structural safety standards.

The collapse triggered a major emergency response, with county teams deploying machinery to remove debris and create access routes for rescuers. The Kenya Red Cross also said its teams were on their way to the site and urged the public to give emergency responders enough space to work safely.

Rescue operations were complicated by the large crowds gathering around the collapsed structure. Police fired tear gas to disperse onlookers and people who had begun looting neighbouring shops, as officers attempted to clear the area and prevent obstruction of emergency vehicles.

Movement along 1st Avenue and 9th Street was disrupted as residents and traders rushed to the scene.