The residents of Shauri Moyo, a low-income neighborhood in Pumwani, Nairobi-Kenya, have faced a devastating tragedy after an excavation site for a sewer line that was under construction collapsed, resulting in the deaths of four workers.
The incident occurred on September 13, 2024, around 2:50 AM, prompting emergency services to respond swiftly to the scene.
According to the National Police Service spokesperson, Resila Atieno Onyango, the rescue operation is still ongoing.
“We have so far recovered four bodies from the accident site following the sewer line collapse,” she said.
She noted that some reports are indicating that three individuals have successfully been rescued and are receiving medical care at Mama Lucy Hospital.
Onyango extended her gratitude to the agencies that came out to rescue the victims, including the Nairobi City County Fire Brigade, NMS Ambulance, Kenya Red Cross, and local police forces, who worked collaboratively to address the situation.
Barasa Azizi, an eyewitness, said that the workers were engaged in excavation activities when the walls of the sewer line they were constructing gave way.
He explained that this is often a result of pipes weakening and rusting from exposure to harsh environmental conditions.
The bodies of the deceased were taken to the City Mortuary for identification and autopsy.
