At least two people have been confirmed dead after a building collapsed in Nairobi’s gikombaa market, while several others remain trapped beneath the rubble.

The building, located in Block B of Gikomba Market, had sustained structural damage following a fire that tore through sections of the market on Sunday, June 21.

“Block B had already been severely damaged by the devastating fire that swept through Gikomba Market, destroying nearly 90% of the stalls,” Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan said in a statement.

According to MP Yusuf Hassan, a group of young people were demolishing the structure when the building suddenly collapsed, trapping some of them.

“A group of young people were demolishing Block B when the structure suddenly collapsed, trapping several of them. Tragically, two people have been confirmed dead.”

He extended his condolences to families of the two victims who lost their lives in the incident.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who have lost their lives, those still trapped or injured, and the entire Gikomba community as they continue to grapple with these repeated setbacks.”

The Kenya Red Cross said in a statement that it had deployed emergency responders to support search and rescue operations alongside the Nairobi City County Fire Brigade, National Police Service, and other emergency agencies.

“The overnight search and retrieval operation at Gikomba Market has been successfully concluded through the joint efforts of the Nairobi City County Fire Brigade, Kenya Red Cross first responders and the National Police Service.”

The incident comes days after a massive fire destroyed several stalls in Gikomba market on Sunday June 21, leaving several traders counting losses.