Rescue workers are battling against time to find the remaining survivors within the rubble of a six-storey building that collapsed in Nairobi's Huruma district on 30 April. At least 21 people have been confirmed dead, with an estimated 136 saved from the ruins. Dozens are still listed as missing and emergency services say that the chance of finding more survivors has become unlikely.
The 198-room building had been previously condemned by authorities and there has been no official explanation of why it remained occupied. Kenya's Interior Ministry said that the Huruma building had been earmarked for demolition as it was built too close to the river.
A general view shows rescue workers searching for residents feared trapped in the rubble in NairobiGregory Olando/ Reuters
Like many cities in Africa, the population of Nairobi has risen dramatically over recent years, and is about a third bigger than its population of 3.5 million back in 2011, according to United Nations' (UN) figures. The city's rapid growth has left the government struggling to build homes fast enough.
Kenya's president, Uhuru Kenyatta has since ordered other buildings in the area to be surveyed to ensure they are safe to be lived in.
A rescue worker wears a mask as he rests during the search for residents feared trapped in the rubble of the collapsed building Thomas Mukoya/ReutersA general view shows the Nairobi river flowing dangerously close to the Huruma neighbourhood in NairobiThomas Mukoy/ReutersA woman mourns during the search for residents feared trapped in the rubble of the six-storey building that collapsed in NairobiThomas Mukoya/ReutersA woman tearfully awaits news as rescue workers search for residents feared trapped in the rubble in NairobiReutersSecurity and rescue personel continue for the third-day with the search of bodies trapped in rubble after a six-storey building collapsed in Huruma, NairobiTony Karumba/AFPA woman stands on the balcony of a neighbouring building as she watches rescuers searching for bodies trapped in rubble of the collapsed residential building in Huruma, NairobiTony Karumba/AFPResidents of adjacent buildings move out with their belongings in Huruma, NairobiTony Karumba/AFP
The buildings collapse has lead to the evacuation of other neighbouring residents, who fear that this may mean that other buildings are not safe, particularly with the heavy rain.
Rescue workers managed to save an 18-month-old baby named Dealeryn Saisi Wasike from the rubble. Identified by her father, it is expected that she was buried for approximately 80 hours.
"[She] was found in a bucket wrapped in a blanket. She appeared dehydrated, and with no visible physical injuries," the Kenya Red Cross told Reuters. The fate of Dealeryn's mother is still unknown.
The suspected owners of the six-storey building appeared in court on 3 May. Entrepreneurs Samuel Kamau Karanja and brother Henry Muiruri Karanja appeared handcuffed at the Chief Magistrates Court in Milimani, Nairobi. So far, no one has been charged.
A volunteer drinks tea as he rests during the search for residents feared trapped in the rubble in NairobiThomas Mukoya/ReutersA man carries his belongings on a hand cart as he leaves the Huruma neighbourhood during the search for residents in NairobiThomas Mukoya ReutersChildren look through a grill as rescue workers search for residents feared trapped in the rubble in NairobiThomas Mukoya/ReutersA woman leaves the Huruma neighbourhood as rain continues to fallThomas Mukoya/ReutersKenyan entrepreneurs Samuel Kamau Karanja (R) and his brother Henry Muiruri Karanja (L), suspected owners of a six-storey building that collapsed in the Huruma neighbourhood sit in the dock at the Chief Magistrates Court in Milimani, NairobiThomas Mukoya/ReutersPeople carry their belongings as they leave the Huruma neighbourhood in NairobiThomas Mukoya/ReutersKenya Red Cross paramedics attend to a 18-month-old girl rescued from the rubble of a six-storey building that collapsed in NairobiBonny Odhiambo/Kenya Red Cross/ReutersA man looks at a policeman as he carries his suitcase to leave the Huruma neighbourhood in NairobiThomas Mukoy/ReutersPeople carry a sofa as they leave the Huruma neighbourhood during the search for residents feared trapped in the rubble of a six-storey building in NairobiThomas Mukoya/ReutersKenyan entrepreneurs Samuel Kamau Karanja (R) and his brother Henry Muiruri Karanja (L), suspected owners of a six-storey building that collapsed hide their faces as they sit in the dock at the Chief Magistrates Court in Milimani, NairobiThomas Mukoya/ReutersA Kenyan woman standing in a balcony looks at rescue workers removing debris from the six storey building that collapesd in Huruma, NairobiSimon Maina/AFPA woman carries her belongings as she leaves the Huruma neighbourhood in NairobiThomas Mukoya/Reuters
