Several football fans feared dead after septic tank collapses in Mombasa

At least four people are feared to have died after an old septic tank collapsed while they were waiting to watch a football match on TV in the Bamburi Mwisho area of Kadzandani ward, Nyali sub-county, on Sunday.

The victims are believed to have stayed behind in the video café after others left when the power went out.

The structure, constructed from iron sheets, was reportedly built over a septic tank that is more than 40 years old.

According to witnesses, the café was crowded as fans gathered to watch the 4 pm match.

However, they left when they discovered that the café owner had not yet settled the subscription fee for the month.

The electricity was later cut off as the fans awaited the owner's payment for the subscription. Four of them remained behind.

Around 5:30 pm, the septic tank collapsed.

"I was inside the house when I heard a loud noise, and the children who had been playing outside rushed inside. Then, I heard another burst of noise," recounted Athman Salim, an eyewitness.

Salim mentioned that when he looked outside through the door, he saw a large hole in the ground right in front of it.

Inside the video café, the wall where the screen had been mounted collapsed.

It is believed that two of the suspected victims were seated in the front row.

Two others were found lying on one of the benches in the middle of the café.

The Mombasa County Fire Rescue team arrived around 30 minutes later. However, their efforts to rescue proved unsuccessful as the hole continued to expand, with more of the floor sinking.

Mombasa County Commissioner Mohammed Noor stated that an assessment was underway to determine the necessary operation.

"This video café is believed to have been constructed on top of a septic tank, which then collapsed," Noor explained.

A water tank located right outside the café also sank into the hole.

Nuru Sadat, the aunt of one of the missing persons, said he had gone to watch a football match when the floor gave way.

"I can only hope the county is able to recover his body," Sadat expressed.

Kadzandani MCA Fatma Kushe urged the county to expedite efforts to retrieve the bodies.

"We extend our condolences to the families who have lost loved ones," she said.

"We ask for cooperation to ensure the bodies are recovered. Inna lillahi wainna illaihi rajiun."

By around 8:30 pm, more of the floor caved in as locals gathered at the scene. The police had a difficult time keeping the crowd at a distance.

As of the latest update, the County Chief Fire Officer Ibrahim Basafar had arrived and was engaged in discussions about the next steps.

The area where the incident occurred is not accessible by vehicle.

The county disaster team was considering demolishing parts of nearby buildings to clear a path for the rescue efforts with shovels.