Two more people have been detected alive beneath the rubble of an 18-storey building that collapsed along 9th Street in Eastleigh, Nairobi, raising hopes of rescuing additional survivors.
The discovery was made on Tuesday evening, October 27, as rescue operations entered their sixth day following the recovery of six people from the debris.
The survivors were detected using specialised equipment operated by Chinese experts engaged by the government to assist in locating people trapped beneath the rubble. However, as of Wednesday morning, October 28, rescue teams had yet to reach the two individuals.
Rescuers have continued working around the clock to reach those trapped inside the collapsed structure, with approximately 85 per cent of the rubble reportedly cleared as the search for survivors continues.
At least 16 people remain missing, according to reports, prompting rescue teams to intensify efforts to establish their whereabouts. The detection of the two survivors has heightened the urgency of the operation as teams work to reach them safely.
The Chinese specialists are deploying advanced life-detection equipment designed to identify signs of life beneath heavy debris.
Among the devices is the Delsar LD3 acoustic life detector, which picks up faint sounds and vibrations that could indicate the presence of survivors trapped under the collapsed structure.
Rescuers are also using the Jeet white-light thermal imaging Snake Eye life detector, a device that can be extended into narrow openings in the rubble to capture images, identify possible survivors and establish their locations.
Another tool being deployed is the SJ6000 radar detector, which is designed to detect subtle movements associated with breathing. The technology is expected to help rescue teams identify survivors in inaccessible sections of the debris where conventional search methods may be ineffective.
According to security teams, those believed to have been trapped inside the building were mainly individuals who had been operating businesses there before the structure was completed.
Meanwhile, detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have stepped up investigations to establish the circumstances that led to the collapse of the 18-storey building.
Several individuals have reportedly been questioned as investigators seek to determine whether negligence, regulatory failures or other factors contributed to the incident.
Those questioned reportedly include several Nairobi County officials and one of the building's three owners, who is said to have recorded a statement with investigators.
Officers from the National Construction Authority (NCA) were also expected to be questioned on Wednesday morning as the investigation widened.
Investigators are seeking to establish whether the building had the necessary approvals, underwent the required inspections and complied with construction standards and safety regulations.
As rescue operations continue, authorities face the dual task of reaching those still believed to be trapped beneath the rubble and determining what caused the deadly building collapse.
