Police call off Eastleigh building search as three people remain missing

Eight bodies have been recovered and four people rescued alive. However, three people initially reported missing remain unaccounted for.

The operation, which began on October 23 following the collapse of the 18-storey building along Eastleigh's 9th Street, resulted in four people being rescued alive and eight bodies being retrieved, with no additional bodies recovered on the final day.

Nairobi North County Commissioner Simon Osumba said multi-agency teams had searched all accessible basement compartments, where some of the missing people were believed to be trapped.

“We are calling off the exercise today after having managed to reach all the basements of the building which collapsed,” Osumba said.

Of the eight bodies recovered from the rubble, six were women and two were men. Three others initially reported missing remain unaccounted for, with police saying their cases will now be treated as missing persons reports.

The National Police Service will take over follow-up with their families.

“They are now going to be treated as missing persons. We are opening the area for business to resume. We will supervise as the owner fences the site with mabati,” Osumba stated.

Attention now shifts to the identification of the deceased. DNA testing and post-mortem examinations are underway at the Nairobi City Mortuary to help establish the identities of some of the recovered bodies, which were reportedly severely decomposed.

The county government has pledged to support affected families by covering DNA testing, burial and transport costs, as well as mortuary bills.

The building site remains cordoned off over fears of structural hazards as debris clearance gets underway.

Operations Commander Dr William Sifuna said the rescue mission had ended, paving the way for the removal of debris and reopening of the road.

“We don't have any other expected recovery or rescue. We are closing the site and giving the area OCPD an opportunity to take over. We are now calling off the exercise. There is an operation to clear the debris so that the owner can seal off the site. We are also opening the road,” he said.

Experts have also called for inspections of neighbouring buildings to establish whether they sustained structural damage.

With the rescue mission over, attention now turns to investigations into the cause of the collapse and accountability for those responsible.