SEARCH for those trapped in debris of the building that collapsed in Huruma, Nairobi on April 29 entered final stretch on Saturday as officials confirmed 49 dead.
Incident Commander Pius Maasai said rescuers had swept through 96 percent of the debris and the exercise was nearing conclusion.
“We are in the most delicate point and things must be done meticulously. Although only four percent of the rubble remains, we must move carefully to ensure we don’t injure those who could be alive or damage bodies inside,” he said.
“The animals retrieved alive are giving us hopes of finding someone alive.”
Maasai said 47 people were still missing and sixteen of the dead have already been identified. He clarified that not all those that are missing were affected by the tragedy.
He said some of those who had been reported missing by families had been traced elsewhere while others were identified as among those affected by the tragedy.
Maasai said 140 people have been rescued alive since the exercise began. He said 18 survivors are admitted to the Kenyatta National Hospital.
The rescue operation by the Kenya Defence Forces, National Youth Service personnel and Nairobi County and Kenya Red Cross officers entered its eighth day Saturday.
Families of the affected are camping at the Huruma Social Hall as they await information concerning their missing loved ones.
Various counseling institutions are offering psycho-social support to the affected families.
Kenya Red Cross Society Nairobi Regional Manager Michael Ayabei said various corporates have offered humanitarian aid support items including foodstuffs, sanitary items to those affected.