The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Rescue teams have officially ended the search operation at the collapsed building in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area after 15 days, leaving three people unaccounted for.
The multi-agency operation recovered eight bodies, comprising six women and two men, from the rubble but failed to locate the three other individuals who were initially reported missing.
The decision to terminate the rescue exercise followed the completion of searches in all basement sections of the collapsed structure.
Click here to join our WhatsApp Channel
The operation involved the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), National Youth Service (NYS), National Disaster Management Unit, National Disaster Operations Centre, Nairobi City County Government and the Kenya Red Cross.
Nairobi North County Commissioner Simon Osumba said the teams had reached all accessible basement compartments, prompting the decision to call off the exercise.
Authorities described the operation as particularly difficult due to the building’s height, its confined working spaces and the presence of neighbouring residential communities.
The 18-storey structure was described as the tallest building ever to collapse in Kenya, presenting significant challenges to rescue personnel.
Eight bodies recovered as families await DNA results
The eight bodies retrieved from the debris have been transferred to the City Mortuary, where they are being preserved as authorities conduct DNA analysis to establish their identities.
Officials said some of the remains were already decomposed, making DNA testing necessary before they could be positively identified and released to their families for burial.
Nairobi City County has pledged to assist affected families with burial arrangements, including mortuary expenses and transportation costs.
The Kenya Red Cross has also established a support centre at the mortuary to help relatives navigate the identification process and other post-recovery procedures.
Meanwhile, the three individuals who remain missing will now be handled as missing-person cases, with police expected to take over follow-up investigations and maintain contact with their families.
Authorities have urged anyone whose relatives remain unaccounted for to report the cases at police stations across Nairobi to facilitate further investigations.
Rescue officials also said affected families had been taken to the site to witness the sections that had been searched and receive confirmation that all accessible areas had been covered.
Police take over as site safety concerns emerge
With the rescue operation concluded, authorities will now focus on securing the site, assessing neighbouring structures and facilitating the return of normal activities in the area.
Police will maintain security around the collapsed building in coordination with the property owner to prevent members of the public from accessing dangerous sections.
Officials have warned that exposed steel, debris and unstable materials continue to pose safety risks, urging residents and curious onlookers to keep away from the site.
Authorities have also recommended fresh structural assessments of buildings surrounding the collapsed structure to establish whether they sustained damage or require remedial measures.
Roads that were partially closed during the rescue operation are expected to reopen once the area is declared safe, allowing affected businesses and motorists to resume normal operations.
Although the physical search has ended, authorities say engagement with affected families will continue as DNA identification, missing-person follow-ups and police investigations proceed.
