Search and rescue efforts are still ongoing in Bamburi Mwisho area in Mombasa County after the collapse of a local football viewing hall that had been constructed atop a septic tank.
The incident occurred on Sunday, April 20 at around 5:30 pm when football fans were watching a match.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir says that the country disaster management teams responded to the scene promptly after a report was made.
Nonetheless, preliminary assessments have established that the football viewing hall was an unauthorised structure, operating without a valid trading permit.
Mombasa County Commissioner Mohammed Noor says that the septic tank was approximately 120 feet deep.
The septic tank has since been fully exhausted by a technical team from the Mombasa Water and Sanitation Company (MOWASSCO), as part of ongoing recovery efforts.
Two still missing
“Regrettably, two individuals remain missing and are feared to have been trapped,” Governor Nassir says. “Our County Disaster Management teams remain on-site leading a coordinated recovery operation.”
The county boss says the tragedy serves as a “stark and urgent reminder” of the critical importance of ensuring all developments are regularised through the County Department of Planning.
“We cannot compromise on safety, public order, or the rule of law when it comes to construction and business operations in our County.”
More to follow…
