XCMG helps rescue at Nairobi's collapsed building

NAIROBI, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) - China's supplier of construction machinery, XCMG, on Wednesday joined rescue operations at a collapsed building in a residential suburb of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

Executives said the company provided a truck crane and manpower to help clear debris at the site of the collapsed five-storey apartment.

"We have a duty to help people in need and answered a distress call when the building collapsed. This tragedy affects Kenyans," XCMG Kenya Managing Director, Zhang Yuanxiang, told Xinhua at the scene.

The truck crane donated by XCMG can lift solid material weighing up to 50 tonnes and helped clear heavy concrete slabs that littered the low-income residential premises in downtown Nairobi.

During an interview with Xinhua, Zhang said his company has developed a corporate social responsibility for Kenyan communities.

"Besides assisting people caught in tragedies, we have been providing technical skills to Kenyan youth. Kenya and China are sincere friends in all aspects," Zhang said.

He revealed that Kenyan officials requested XCMG to provide equipment to boost rescue efforts at the site of collapsed building.

One person was killed while 10 others were injured when the building collapsed in the wee hours of Wednesday. State agencies in charge of disaster operations mobilized personnel to rescue survivors and offer them treatment.

Equipment sourced from China had a strong footprint during the day-long rescue mission at the site of the collapsed building.

Zhang said staff members at XCMG had volunteered to assist local communities clear the debris and deposit it safely.

"My colleagues have provided their technical skills to strengthen rescue efforts and save lives. They will not rest until the last concrete slab is cleared from this place," Zhang said.