Hotel under construction collapses in Murang’a, several feared trapped

The incomplete hotel collapsed on Friday afternoon, December 17. [Boniface Gikandi, Standard]

A five-storey hotel under construction collapsed at Makegi area in Kandara, Murang’a County on Friday afternoon, December 17.

At least eight builders are feared trapped in the rubble.

Concerted rescue efforts by firefighters, emergency response teams and medics were embarked on as soon as the structure came thudding against the ground at 2pm.

Police arrived at the scene, and threw a cordon around the collapsed structure.

As of the time of publishing this story, only person had been rescued.

Fire engine trucks and ambulances from Murang’a and the neighbouring Kiambu County arrived at the scene minutes after the hotel came tumbling down.

The accommodation facility, called Sun Star, was in the advanced stages of construction.

Murang’a County Police Commander Donatha Kiplangat told The Standard that 43 out of 51 people, who were near the structure, have been accounted for.