First body found in Nairobi collapse

The body of a woman was pulled from the rubble in Nairobi on Friday, marking the first confirmed fatality from the collapse of an 18-story building. The structure, located in the busy Eastleigh commercial district, gave way last week. Sixteen people remain unaccounted for.

Officials deployed thermal imaging equipment to assist in the search efforts. This technology was provided by a Chinese team earlier in the week. Sensors detected heat signatures from two individuals trapped beneath the concrete and steel debris.

Governor Johnson Sakaja stated that the building lacked the required construction approvals. He noted that renting out the completed ground floor and basement units violated local regulations. These rules require buildings to pass inspections and receive a certificate of occupancy before they are inhabited.

Four survivors were previously rescued from the site. They described their traumatic experiences of being trapped under the collapsed structure. Since Saturday, no additional survivors have been extracted from the wreckage.

Families of the missing have camped near the site for a week, hoping for news of their relatives. Many began to lose hope after the critical 72-hour survival window passed. They expressed growing doubt that their loved ones could remain alive under the heavy debris for more than three days.

The recovered body was found severely mutilated by the weight of the building's materials. The incident highlights the risks associated with unpermitted construction in densely populated urban areas. Rescue operations continue as teams work to clear the remaining structure.