Kenyan Efforts to Rescue Trapped

Rescue efforts are continuing to save about 20 builders trapped after a multi-story building collapsed on the outskirts of Kenya's capital, Nairobi. At least three bodies have been pulled from the wreckage in Kiambu town, where the building was under construction. The Red Cross told the BBC 18 people had been rescued and taken to hospital. It is not clear what caused the collapse, but correspondents say Kenyan building companies are often criticised for flouting safety regulations. There have been suggestions that recent heavy rain in the area could have weakened the five-storey structure. The rescue operation continued late into Monday evening, but had to be called off because of the rain and poor light. Efforts began again at 0700 local time (0400 GMT) and one person was rescued on Tuesday morning. Up to 50 workers were believed to have been on site at the time of the collapse. Some of those trapped have made mobile phone calls to alert relatives. One eyewitness reported hearing a loud bang when the building cracked before it collapsed. A reporter for the Associated Press news agency said he saw a woman's body in the wreckage, while one rescued man told AP several people had been in the room with him when the building collapsed. The BBC's Will Ross in Nairobi says the incident was not the first of its kind in recent years. Following the collapse of other buildings in recent years, there were calls for stricter building regulations to be enforced, says our correspondent. But Nairobi is currently experiencing a construction boom, and companies are often criticised for cutting corners and failing to enforce strict safety measures as profitable high rises spring up over the city, he adds.