Four construction workers and a 14-year-old student were killed in separate building collapses in Kano State on Saturday, while 11 others were rescued, the Kano State Fire Service has said.
The incidents occurred at Gaida in Kumbotso Local Government Area and Kurna in Fagge Local Government Area, throwing the affected communities into panic.
The Director of the Kano State Fire Service, Sani Anas, disclosed the casualty figures in a statement issued by the service’s Public Relations Officer, Saminu Abdullahi, on Sunday.
According to him, the first incident involved a building under construction at Gaida, where six workers were trapped after the structure collapsed at about 2:34pm.
Firefighters and other emergency responders were immediately deployed to the scene following a distress call from a police officer, Ahmed Sani.
Anas said two of the trapped workers, identified as 17-year-old Muhammad Hassan and 19-year-old Khalid Abubakar, were rescued alive.
The remaining four workers were brought out unconscious and rushed to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, where doctors later confirmed them dead.
The deceased were identified as Sunusi Siraju, 18; Bashir Ibrahim, 20; Ibrahim, 26; and Abubakar, 30.
Their bodies were subsequently released to the police for further action.
The second incident occurred about six minutes later at an Islamiyya school building known as Khalid Idris Bala in Kurna, behind a primary school in Fagge LGA.
The fire service said eight students were rescued alive from the collapsed structure, while another student was rescued unconscious but later died.
The deceased student was identified as 14-year-old Khadija Muhammad.
The rescued students included Hassana Issa, Usaina Issa and Zuleyhat M. Gambu, all aged 13; Nawara Yahya, Nuseiba Issa and Hasia Munir, all aged 12; Khadija Issa, 15; and Hadiza Haruna, 12.
The survivors were handed over to the school authorities.
The fire service said the causes of both collapses had not been established, adding that investigations were ongoing.
The incidents have again raised concerns over compliance with building regulations and safety standards in Kano, where structural failures have repeatedly resulted in deaths and injuries.
Anas urged building owners, contractors and construction workers to adhere strictly to approved building standards and adopt appropriate safety measures to prevent further tragedies.
He also stressed the need for greater attention to structural safety during construction, particularly at sites where workers and students are exposed to potentially dangerous structures.
The latest incidents bring renewed focus to the enforcement of building regulations and the responsibility of developers and relevant authorities to ensure that structures are safe before they are occupied or used.
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
