Tragedy struck in the Bamburi Mwisho area of Kadzandani ward, Nyali sub-county, on Sunday evening when an old septic tank caved in beneath a video café, leaving at least four people feared dead. The victims had remained inside the café to watch an English Premier League match.
The video café, a modest structure made from iron sheets, had been built on top of a septic tank believed to be over 40 years old. On Sunday afternoon, the venue was crowded with fans waiting for the 4pm kickoff. However, many left when it became apparent that the owner had not paid for the TV subscription. Shortly after, the power also went out.
Despite this, four individuals decided to stay behind, hoping the situation would be resolved. Around 5.30pm, the floor beneath them collapsed without warning.
A local resident described the sudden chaos. “I was in the house when I heard a loud commotion. Children playing outside ran into the house. Then I heard another round of noise. When I looked out, I saw a large hole had opened up right in front of the door,” he said.
Inside the café, the section of the wall where the screen was mounted collapsed, and the floor gave way. Two of the victims were reportedly sitting in the front row, while the other two had been lying on benches toward the middle of the room.
Emergency responders from the Mombasa county fire and rescue team arrived at the scene about 30 minutes later. However, the rescue operation faced significant challenges. As responders tried to access the site, more of the floor continued to collapse, widening the hole and further destabilizing the area.
Authorities, including senior county officials, assessed the site and began planning the best course of action. Due to the instability of the ground and the narrow layout of the surrounding area, vehicles were unable to access the location, complicating efforts to bring in heavy equipment.
A water tank located adjacent to the video café also sank into the hole, underscoring the extent of the collapse. Local officials suggested that some nearby buildings might need to be partially demolished to allow rescue teams to bring in shovels and other tools.
Family members of the missing gathered at the scene, anxiously waiting for news. One woman, whose nephew is believed to be among the victims, expressed her anguish, saying she just hoped the authorities would be able to recover the bodies.
Local leaders expressed their condolences and called for urgent efforts to retrieve the victims. One of the missing individuals is reportedly related to a Member of County Assembly (MCA), adding to the emotional weight of the tragedy.
By 8.30pm, more sections of the floor had collapsed as curious residents continued to crowd around the site. Police struggled to maintain order and keep people away from the dangerous area.
The county’s chief fire officer arrived later in the evening to oversee the ongoing assessment and to determine the safest and most effective approach for continuing the rescue and recovery operations. As of the last update, the bodies had not yet been retrieved, and rescue efforts remained complicated due to the site’s precarious condition.
