Five die, 10 rescued in two Kano building collapses

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File image for illustration.

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By Hadiza Yusuf

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KANO — Five people have died while 10 others were rescued following two separate building collapses in Kano State.

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The incidents occurred on Saturday at Gaida in Kumbotso Local Government Area and Kurna in Fagge Local Government Area.

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The Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Fire Service, ACFO Saminu Yusif Abdullahi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

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He said the Fire Service received distress calls about the incidents at about 2:34 p.m. and 2:40 p.m., respectively.

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According to him, the first incident occurred at Gaida, near Salbas Filling Station, where an incomplete building under construction, measuring about 50 by 50 feet, collapsed while six workers were at the site.

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He said firefighters were immediately mobilised to the scene, where two workers, identified as 17-year-old Muhammad Hassan and 19-year-old Khalid Abubakar, were rescued alive.

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Four others were rescued unconscious but were later confirmed dead. They were identified as 18-year-old Sunusi Surajo, 20-year-old Bashir Ibrahim, 25-year-old Ibrahim Ibrahim and 30-year-old Abubakar.

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All six victims were taken to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital for medical attention before being handed over to Inspector Adamu Garba of the Kofar Wanbai Police Division.

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The second incident occurred at Kurna, behind the Primary School in Fagge Local Government Area, where an Islamiyya school, Khadija Idris Bala, collapsed, trapping nine students.

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The Fire Service said eight of the students were rescued alive. They were identified as 13-year-old Hassana Isah, 13-year-old Usaina Isah, 13-year-old Zulaihat M. Gambo, 12-year-old Nawara Yahaya, 12-year-old Nusaiba Isah, 12-year-old Hasiya Munir, 15-year-old Khadija Isah and 12-year-old Hadiza Haruna.

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The ninth victim, identified as 14-year-old Khadija Muhammad, was rescued unconscious but was later confirmed dead.

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The surviving students were subsequently handed over to the school headmaster, Muhammad Gambo Usman.

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The Fire Service said the causes of both building collapses were still under investigation.

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It urged building owners, contractors and construction workers to observe safety precautions and comply with approved building standards.

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The agency also advised stakeholders to exercise extra caution during the rainy season to reduce the risk of building collapses.

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