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Five rescued, 30 trapped as mall collapses in Kisumu


At least 30 workers were trapped after a two-storey shopping mall under construction in Kisumu collapsed Wednesday.

Six workers had been rescued by last evening after the 4pm accident and were taken to hospital with critical injuries. However, the other 30 were still trapped in the building next to Manyatta market.

National Youth Service and Red Cross volunteers were among those at the scene assisting in removing the debris in the hope of reaching and rescuing survivors.

Mr Raphael Otieno Omollo, a survivor, said he shouted when one column of the house fell collapsed. His colleagues who heard him escaped but those who did not were trapped.

“The house was complete and we were on the last floor. I was downstairs when I saw a column fall. I then shouted and before I could run away, the whole building fell trapping my colleagues,” he said.

Those trapped were taking a break at the time of the accident.

Workers at the scene could not immediately tell where the owner of the building was.

Ms Leah Auma, a witness, said women who were supplying water at the site were probably among those trapped in the building.

She accused the county government of failing to supervise the construction, which led to the use of sub-standard material.

Area OCPD Musa Kongoli said six survivors had been taken to the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital for treatment.

Mr Kongoli said the rescue of those trapped could take long because the time at the site lacked the equipment to aid the recovery.

“We are not sure how many people are in here. We have taken five to hospital,” he said.

SOURCE: Daily Nation