. | . |
Four rescued six days after Kenya building collapse By Tristan MCCONNELL and Raphael AMBASU Nairobi (AFP) May 5, 2016 Four people were pulled alive Thursday from the rubble of an apartment block that collapsed six days ago when heavy rains hit Nairobi, causing floods and landslides in the Kenyan capital. There were cheers and shouted prayers from the crowd gathered at the site of the ruined six-storey building as a woman, covered with a blanket and lying on a stretcher, was carried to a waiting ambulance. She was hauled between thick concrete slabs and a tangle of twisted metal after being located by rescuers who gave her oxygen while they continued efforts to extract her. Later in the day three more people, two women and a man, were pulled from the rubble of the shattered building. The rescues came after a baby girl was found alive on Monday, more than 80 hours after the building collapsed on Friday night. Officials have so far confirmed a death toll of 33 from the disaster, but at least 80 more people are believed to be missing and rescuers are now trawling the filthy river nearby for bodies. Pius Masai of Kenya's National Disaster Operation Centre said the rescued woman was conscious and talking when she was found. - Rabbits rescued - He said he had been confident more people could be rescued after several live rabbits were found in the rubble on Tuesday. "I told you the day we got nine rabbits alive from this place I was sure we will get more people alive," Masai added. The woman is receiving treatment and assessment of her injuries at Nairobi's main Kenyatta National Hospital. "I am glad we got her out safely and that is our determination, to pull out as many people as possible who are still trapped under the rubble," Masai said. He said rescuers decided to extend the search to Nairobi River "because there is every indication that some people may have drowned in the river after jumping out (of the building)". Seven-month old Delarine Saisi was found on Monday dehydrated but without visible physical injuries in what her father said was a miracle. But tragedy followed when the girl's mother was found dead late Wednesday. Another seven people died in several areas of Nairobi after the heavy rains and floods hit on Friday. Two brothers who own the Nairobi building and three construction officials have been released on bail while investigators gather evidence against them ahead of an expected prosecution. Located in the poor, tightly-packed Huruma neighbourhood, the building, which housed around 150 families crammed into single rooms, had been slated for demolition after being declared structurally unsound. But an evacuation order for the structure, which was built next to a river just two years ago, was ignored. Several buildings have collapsed in recent years in Nairobi and other Kenyan cities, where a property boom has seen buildings shoot up at speed, often with scant regard for regulations. On Thursday, Nairobi officials ordered the demolition of other buildings deemed illegal or unsafe.
Related Links Bringing Order To A World Of Disasters A world of storm and tempest When the Earth Quakes
|
|
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us. |