One person died on the spot while several others sustained serious injuries after a section of a luxurious five storey building under construction at Twiga beach in Watamu Collapsed on Monday afternoon.

The controversial building is reportedly being built within 60 meters from the high-watermark which is illegal but the Investor allegedly got approvals for the construction despite protests from community and conservationists in Watamu. 

What began like a normal working day for the construction workers ended as a tragedy after the basement area they were pouring concrete collapsed leaving one person dead.

Hundreds of curious onlookers including beach operators, tour guides, tourists and community members living around the area flocked to the scene to witness the disaster.

Residents said they had seen two people being rescued and rushed to hospital but there were fears that there could be more bodies still trapped inside.

Charity Mwagambo, chairlady of Twiga Beach operators said they were carrying on with their normal daily routine when suddenly part of the building where the workers were pouring concrete to make a slab, collapsed.

She said some of the workers who were outside began running away in confusion and people rushed to rescue those who had been injured but sadly one person was found already dead.

“The investor has said he will demolish our curio structures once the hotel is complete and we have been having problems with him but we do not get any help from any government authorities,” she said.

The chairlady wondered how that project was approved yet it is within a marine protected area and called on authorities to intervene and bring down the building to avoid more tragedy.

A spotcheck along the building still under construction showed there were cracks which were a threat not only to the construction workers but even those who will occupy it once it’s complete.

Ahmed Mohamed, a resident of Watamu who is an engineer, said the materials used for construction of the resort were substandard and weak.

He said in an area where the contractor was supposed to use strong D16 metals he used very small ones that could not hold the building in the basement.

Furaha Nzaia, beach operator, blamed the investor at Twiga beach for the disaster saying he was using corrupt means to obtain approvals risking the lives of the workers and the community at large.

At the same time, Halima Lali Mohamed a conservationist from Watamu said they were saddened by the disaster that led to the death of a worker and questioned who approved the construction of the building.

She asked NEMA to explain circumstances that led them to approve the building which is on riparian land.

“We also urge the government to order the building to be demolished so as to avoid more tragedies in future,” she said.