28.08.2021

Fatal tower crane collapse

The top of a tower crane crashed to the ground on Thursday while being dismantled at a construction site in the Kilimani suburb of Nairobi, Kenya. Nine men who had been working on the crane lost their lives in the incident.
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The crane’s tower

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The debris

The Zoomlion flat top crane had been helping construct a 14 storey student hostel tower block being built by Chinese contractor Zhejiang Chengjian Construction Africa (ZJCC) for project manager Acorn Management Services. It was in the process of being dismantled at the time with 10 men on the crane when the entire top broke free of the tower and fell to the ground.

Seven of the deceased were Kenyan nationals and two were Chinese citizens, who were apparently directing the crane removal. A 10th man was reported to have survived thanks to his harness which left him dangling from the tower. He remains in hospital. The job was due to be completed and handed over next month.
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The crane at the start of the project

ZJCC released a statement which said: "We have sealed off the site and are collaborating with the Kenya Police Service and the Directorate of Occupational Safety & Health Services in conducting further investigations into the incident in accordance with laws and regulations governing construction sites in Kenya."