Footage from the scene shows the building suddenly giving way and collapsing into its underground section, as shocked onlookers scream and scramble to safety.

The exact height of the building has not been confirmed, but Kenyan media reports say it had between 13 and 18 floors.

Workers who survived the collapse were seen covered in dust as they made their way out of the wreckage. Some said they had little time to escape as the structure began to crumble around them.

One survivor said he was heading downstairs when he noticed the building starting to break apart.

“As I was coming down, I saw the building cracking. We started running, but it caught up with us. We suffered minor injuries, but there are some of my friends I have not seen yet,” he said.

Construction worker Joseph Kaula said the day had started like any other, with workers going about their duties as usual. But around midday, while he was on the fifth floor, he heard a loud noise and went to see what was happening.

He said he realised that fellow workers were desperately trying to escape as the building began to collapse.

“There are two or three of our fellow workers whose whereabouts we do not know. We cannot say whether they are alive or dead. But most of us survived,” Kaula said.

There are also fears for workers who were inside the building’s underground section when it collapsed. One survivor said they might not have realised what was happening before the structure came down, raising concerns that some could be trapped beneath the rubble.

Those working on the upper floors said getting out was especially difficult. According to survivors, signs of trouble had appeared about 10 minutes before the collapse, leaving some workers struggling to find a way to safety.

Emergency teams, including the Kenya Red Cross, rushed to the scene to search for survivors and help those who may still be trapped.

Nairobi’s emergency response authorities said machinery had been brought in to clear the debris and make it easier for rescuers to reach anyone buried beneath the wreckage.

As rescue efforts continued, crowds gathered around the site, hoping to learn whether workers had survived. Police later used tear gas to disperse onlookers and clear the area.

Nairobi police chief Issa Mohamed said emergency teams were working to determine whether anyone else could be rescued. He added that the full extent of the casualties had not yet been established.

The number of people killed or injured remains unclear as rescue operations continue.