Watch CBS News

Baby girl survives 80 hours in rubble of building collapse

NAIROBI, Kenya -- A nearly 6-month-old girl was rescued Tuesday from the rubble of a building that collapsed last week, raising hopes for more survivors in the disaster that has left 23 people dead and 93 others missing.

The child, identified by the Kenya Red Cross as Dealeryn Saisi Wasike, was brought to the hospital about 6 a.m. after being found in the ruins of the seven-story building that collapsed Friday night.

nairobicollapsegettyimages-527188388.jpg
Rescuers search for bodies trapped in rubble, May 2, 2016, at the scene of a collapsed residential building in the low-income suburb of Huruma in Nairobi. Getty

The girl had no physical injuries and was being treated for dehydration, said Simon Ithai, a spokesman at the Kenyatta National Hospital. Her father, Raslon Saisi Wasike, was to meet with reporters later to explain what happened to his daughter and her mother, the Red Cross said.

The two owners of the building and 21 officials from the county government were taken into custody following the collapse, and police have asked a court to be able to hold them for three weeks while an investigation against them proceeds. The court will rule Wednesday on whether they will be granted bail.

nairobibuildingcollapsebodygettyimages-527188274.jpg
The body of a woman lies trapped between slabs of concrete as rescuers search for bodies trapped in rubble on May 2, 2016, at the scene of a collapsed residential building in the low-income suburb of Huruma in Nairobi. Getty

With housing in high demand in Nairobi, some unscrupulous developers bypass regulations to cut costs and maximize profits.

After eight buildings collapsed and killed 15 people, President Uhuru Kenyatta last year ordered an audit of all the country's buildings to see if they are up to code. The National Construction Authority found that 58 percent of buildings in Nairobi are unfit for habitation. Most of Nairobi's 4 million people live in low- income areas or slums.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.