Tragedy strikes in Kano as four laborers and a teenage pupil perish in collapsed structure

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Five people have died, and 10 others were rescued following two separate building collapses in Kumbotso and Fagge Local Government Areas of Kano State.

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The incidents occurred on Saturday at Gaida in Kumbotso and Kurna in Fagge, with the Kano State Fire Service receiving distress calls at about 2:34 pm and 2:40 pm, respectively.

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This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Fire Service, ACFO Saminu Abdullahi.

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According to the statement, the first incident occurred at Gaida, near Salbas Filling Station, where a building under construction, measuring about 50 by 50 feet, collapsed on six workers.

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“Firefighters from the state fire service headquarters were immediately deployed to the scene and rescued two workers alive, identified as 17-year-old Muhammad Hassan and 19-year-old Khalid Abubakar.

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“Four other workers were rescued unconscious but were later confirmed dead. They were identified as Sunusi Surajo, 18; Bashir Ibrahim, 20; Ibrahim Ibrahim, 25; and Abubakar, 30,” the statement said.

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All six victims were evacuated to the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital and later handed over to Inspector Adamu Garba of the Kofar Wanbai Police Division.

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The second collapse occurred at an Islamiyya school, known as Khadija Idris Bala, behind the primary school in Kurna, Fagge Local Government Area.

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“Firefighters from the Kurna Fire Station rescued eight of the nine students affected by the collapse,” the statement said, adding that the victims were aged between 12 and 15.

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

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“The victims were subsequently handed over to the school headmaster, Muhammad Gambo Usman,” the statement added.

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The causes of both collapses are currently under investigation.

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Reacting to the incidents, the Fire Service urged building owners, contractors and construction workers to observe safety precautions and comply with approved building standards, particularly during the rainy season.

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“We urge members of the public to take building safety seriously and ensure that appropriate standards are followed to prevent avoidable loss of lives,” the service said.

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The agency also advised residents to promptly report building-related emergencies to enable firefighters to respond quickly and minimise casualties.

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