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Roundup: Baby rescued 4 days after building collapse in Kenya

Xinhua, May 3, 2016 Adjust font size:

A baby girl was rescued on Tuesday from the rubber of a residential building that collapsed four days ago in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

Kenya Red Cross Society head of corporate affairs, Anthony Mwangi, said the child of no more than one and a half years old was found in a bucket wrapped in a blanket at around 04:00 local time.

"She appeared dehydrated and with no visible physical injuries. She was taken to the Kenyatta National Hospital by the Kenya Red Cross rescue vehicle, and is currently undergoing treatment," Mwangi said.

Nairobi County Police Commander, Japheth Koome, said the rescue team was removing the rubble when they found the child on the first floor of the six-storey building.

There was excitement at the site for the rescue of the baby, described as a miracle.

The building in low-income Huruma district on the outskirts of Nairobi collapsed on Friday night in heavy rain.

So far 23 people have been killed in the incident while 136 rescued, police say.

Rescuers said they would clear the rubble later on Tuesday even though several others were still missing.

The building was earmarked for demolition in 2014. Residents say its owner has regularly used "court orders" to block the county authorities from pulling it down.

Unconfirmed reports indicate the building was built without planning permission.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has visited the site and promised severe punishment for all those responsible.

Already five people are expected in court later in the day to face charges of manslaughter over the collapse.

They include officials from the National Construction Authority and Nairobi City Hall's inspectorate department, the two brothers who own the building and an engineer in charge of the site.

Nairobi County Governor, Evans Kidero, said officials who approved the construction of the building and failed to ensure the demolition would be sacked by Wednesday.

Days of rainfall flooded many roads and suburbs in Nairobi and caused traffic jams that left commuters stranded.

Kenya Red Cross Society says about 200 households have been displaced by the rainfall and are camping at a local government office.

It is predicted the rains will continue in the coming weeks. Endit