The National Construction Authority (NCA) has disclosed that the collapse of a building under construction in Majengo, Mombasa, may have been likely caused by soil saturation.
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.
The authority maintained that the project had all the requisite approvals and that a detailed investigation will be conducted to determine the actual cause of structural failure.
“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.
Akech added that the building was in the initial stages of construction and the unfortunate incident led to the death of one person.
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"The development, a proposed 17-floor residential building, was at the initial stages of construction with the contractor carrying out the foundation works on half of the site and excavation works for the second half of the site.
"Unfortunately, the collapse led to one fatality and four casualties, the affected being construction workers who were undertaking excavation at the time of the incident. Rescue operations are now complete and the site has been cordoned off," Akech explained.
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 remarked.
