Four feared dead as makeshift video cafe collapses into septic tank in Bamburi
The café had been constructed above the aged septic tank, which caved in under the weight of the occupants.
Four football fans are feared dead after a makeshift video café collapsed into a 40-year-old septic tank beneath it on Sunday evening in Bamburi Mwisho, Mombasa County.
The tragic incident occurred at around 6:30pm as dozens of fans gathered at the makeshift structure known locally as Arsy Video Café to watch an English Premier League match.
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The café had been constructed above the aged septic tank, which caved in under the weight of the occupants.
Confirming the incident, Mombasa County Commissioner Mohamed Noor said emergency teams were immediately dispatched to the site.
“This place, used for watching football videos, was unfortunately built on top of a septic tank. The tank caved in and collapsed,” said Mohamed, who is leading the rescue operation alongside the County Security Team.
The makeshift video cafe that collapsed in Bamburi. (Farhiya Hussein)
He added, “It is said that up to four people might be trapped inside. As the chairman of the county disaster team, we have already liaised with the Mombasa Governor, and rescue equipment is being mobilised to establish the exact number of people affected.”
Mombasa County Chief Officer Disaster Ibrahim Basafar said they have to empty the septic tank. "We managed to empty 80 feet of sewage, and that is the exhauster's maximum capacity. We are now sourcing another private exhauster to finish the 40 feet remaining. Then our rescuers can go in to search for bodies and retrieve them," he said.
According to an incident report filed at Kadzandani Police Station under OB No 37/20/04/2025, one Mwavioga Omar, a resident of Bamburi Mwisho, alerted authorities at 6:30pm after the café collapsed with several unknown individuals inside.
Police officers, NGAO officials, and the Mombasa County Disaster Response Team rushed to the scene. The authorities confirmed that the structure had collapsed due to the weight of the people inside and the weakened foundation.
Disaster teams on site to rescue victims of the collapsed makeshift video cafe in Bamburi Mwisho, Mombasa. (Farhiya Hussein)
Preliminary investigations indicate that the café had been illegally erected atop the deteriorating septic tank without proper building approvals.
“The video café had no proper documentation or safety checks. These types of constructions are extremely dangerous and regrettable,” said Kadzandani MCA Fatma Kushe, who visited the scene.
She added, “I urge residents to cooperate with county authorities to prevent such tragedies in future.”
The affected area has been cordoned off to allow for rescue operations.
The makeshift video cafe that collapsed in Bamburi. (Farhiya Hussein)
Rescue teams are working to recover any individuals trapped beneath the debris.
Nuru Sadati, a relative of one of the missing fans, said the victims were in the middle of watching the match when the floor beneath them suddenly caved in.
“They were watching the match. Then, all of a sudden, the ground caved in and they fell in. The TV sets and everything else also sank,” she said.
Police have launched investigations into the incident, with further updates expected today.
Four football fans are feared dead after a makeshift video café collapsed into a 40-year-old septic tank beneath it in Bamburi Mwisho, Mombasa County.
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) April 21, 2025
The tragic incident occurred at around 6:30pm as dozens of fans gathered at the makeshift structure known locally as Arsy Video… pic.twitter.com/vhFiUIuR6f
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