Several people are feared dead after a hall built over a septic tank collapsed during a football match in Mombasa. The tragic incident occurred around 6 PM in the Bamburi Mwisho area of Nyali Constituency, shocking residents and raising serious safety concerns.
According to Mombasa County Commissioner Mohammed Noor, the hall was full of football fans when the ground gave way. The structure had been constructed directly over a septic tank, which suddenly caved in while people were inside watching the game.
Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene and began rescue operations. Efforts are still ongoing to determine how many individuals were trapped when the hall fell in. The full extent of casualties is yet to be confirmed, but initial reports suggest several people may have lost their lives.
Witnesses described a loud crashing sound followed by screams as the floor collapsed, plunging people into the pit below. Locals rushed to help before authorities took control of the scene. The rescue mission has been difficult due to the nature of the collapse and the danger of further structural damage.
Residents in the area have expressed outrage and grief, calling on the Mombasa County Government to take immediate action. Many say this is not the first time such an incident has occurred in the region, pointing to what they describe as poor oversight of building standards and weak enforcement of safety regulations.
"This should not have happened," said one resident. "We’ve complained before about unsafe buildings, but no one listens until lives are lost."
As rescue teams continue their work, pressure is mounting on county officials to investigate how the hall was allowed to be built over a septic tank and to hold those responsible accountable. The tragedy has sparked renewed calls for better inspection of public gathering spaces, especially those that draw large crowds like football viewing halls.
With residents demanding answers and officials scrambling to manage the aftermath, this incident has cast a spotlight on ongoing issues of construction safety in urban areas.