Double tragedy as five killed among them a baby after wall collapsed on them during burial in Mombasa
A family and residents of Jomvu area in Mombasa county suffered double tragedy after five mourners among them a baby were killed when a wall came tumbling down on them during a burial ceremony today afternoon in Miritini.
The horror tragedy struck around 2pm after the wall collapsed on them as they tried to shelter themselves from the heavy downpour.
A baby and three women were killed on the spot while another victim succumbed to injuries at the Makadara hospital.
Others who sustained serious injuries were rushed to the same facility for treatment.
Confirming the incident, the Kenya Red Cross said in a statement that two people had been rescued while one person remained trapped under the rubble for more than an hour. No deaths were reported.
According to an official from the county emergency response department, the victims had attended a burial ceremony and were forced to take cover by the perimeter wall of a nearby factory due to the rain.
“The wall collapsed in its entirety. One of the deceased was completely crushed from the waist down. Others broke their bones and teeth.” A witness said.
According to local residents, this is the second such incident, heightening concerns about the structural integrity of buildings in Mombasa.
Residents noted that one of the primary reasons for the collapse of the perimeter wall was its incomplete construction on one side, which left it structurally vulnerable.
The bodies of the deceased were transported to the Coast General Hospital mortuary for preservation, pending autopsy.
Incidentally, only three weeks ago, another incident in Mombasa county saw one person trapped after a building under construction came crumbling down in the Majengo area.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Meteorological Department expects rainfall to continue in several parts of the country including the coast.
