The National Construction Authority (NCA) has released a preliminary report following the collapse of an excavation wall at a construction site in the Majengo Sega area of Mombasa County, which resulted in one death and left four others injured.
In a statement dated November 11, NCA noted that according to preliminary investigations, soil from a nearby soakage pit may have resulted in the collapse of the proposed 17-floor residential building.
“Preliminary reports have confirmed that the project had the requisite statutory approvals. The report also indicates the possible cause of the collapse to be soil saturation from a nearby soakage pit,” read part of the statement by NCA CEO Eng. Maurice Akech.”
“The development, a proposed 17-floor residential building, was at the initial stages of construction with the contractor carrying out foundation works on one half of the site and excavation works for the second half of the site.” Akech added.
The authority confirmed that a more in-depth investigation would take place in the coming days to identify the definitive cause of the collapse.
“Unfortunately, the collapse led to one fatality and four casualties, the affected being construction workers who were undertaking the excavation at the time of the incident. Rescue operations are now complete. and the site has been cordoned off” Akech added.
On Monday, the Kenya Red Cross confirmed that a multi-agency team was deployed at the scene to aid in rescue operations.
“A multi-agency response team, including the Kenya Police, County Government of Mombasa, and the Kenya Red Cross, is currently conducting search and rescue operations,” Kenya Red Cross noted.
