Nakumatt: 16 confirmed dead

• Red Cross report 40 missing on Thursday night.
• Recovery process ongoing.
• President Kibaki visits the tragic scene.

The number of people who died in the Wednesday fire at a Nairobi supermarket has risen to 16.

The operation to retrieve the remains of people that were trapped in the burnt down retail store has so far recovered 16 remains of people.

Police spokesman has confirmed to a Nation journalist the number of the dead. The number is likely to go up as the recovery process goes on.

Police have placed identification marks on the remains.

Dozens are still missing from Wednesday's inferno with Red Cross putting the number at 47. The number includes those confirmed dead.

President Kibaki arrived at the scene at 2.25pm and was taken round by Police Commissioner Hussein Ali.

He was accompanied by Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, Cooperatives minister Joe Nyagah and other government officials.

The President made a short address to the crowd gathered.

"The government will assist the bereaved families in every way we can."

''We also pray that God will help the families who have lost their loved ones. I also call on Kenyans who can assist to do so."

Police at the scene are using sniffer dogs to as they go through the debris.

The supermarket, on Nairobi’s Kenyatta Avenue, caught fire on Wednesday at 2.45pm.

Firefighters battled the inferno, which was fuelled by explosions believed to be from gas cylinders, for hours.

Thick smoke billowed from the buildings and quickly spread to most of Kimathi and Kenyatta Avenue Streets.

On Friday, The Red Cross reported that 47 people, who were either staff of the supermarket or shoppers, were missing.