At least four people have died after a structure built above a septic tank collapsed in the Bamburi Mwisho area of Mombasa County on Sunday evening.
The hall, used by residents as a local venue to watch football matches and movies, caved in during a live screening, trapping several people beneath the rubble.
Eyewitnesses reported that the floor suddenly gave way, plunging fans into the collapsed tank below.
Emergency responders, including officers from the Kenya Red Cross Action Team (RCAT), Mombasa County Fire Department, and police units, arrived at the scene shortly after the incident.
Rescue efforts are ongoing, with fears that more individuals may still be trapped under the debris.
“We are doing everything possible to locate and rescue survivors,” said a spokesperson from the County Disaster Response Unit. “It’s a delicate operation due to the instability of the remaining structure.”
The exact number of people affected has not yet been confirmed. The victims, who had gathered to enjoy a weekend match, were caught unaware when the structure failed.
Local authorities believe the septic tank beneath the hall had been structurally compromised.
Residents have been urged to steer clear of the area to allow emergency personnel to carry out their work without hindrance.
Officials have promised a full investigation into the cause of the collapse and whether safety regulations were followed during the hall’s construction.
