KANO, NIGERIA– 5 people, including a 14-year-old student, have passed away while 10 others were saved following 2 different building collapses in Kumbotso and Fagge Local Government Locations of Kano State.
The events happened on Saturday at Gaida in Kumbotso and Kurna in Fagge, with the Kano State Fire Service getting distress signal at about 2:34 p.m. and 2:40 p.m., respectively.
The state Fire Service disclosed the casualties in a declaration issued on Sunday by its Public Relations Officer, ACFO Saminu Abdullahi.
4 Workers Die in Kumbotso Collapse
The first occurrence occurred at Gaida, near Salbas Filling Station, where a structure under building, measuring around 50 by 50 feet, collapsed on 6 employees.
Firefighters from the state Fire Service headquarters were released to the scene and rescued two workers alive. They were determined as 17-year-old Muhammad Hassan and 19-year-old Khalid Abubakar.
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Four other workers were reportedly saved unconscious but were later on verified dead. They were identified as Sunusi Surajo, 18; Bashir Ibrahim, 20; Ibrahim Ibrahim, 25; and Abubakar, 30.
The six victims were left to the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Health center and subsequently handed over to Inspector Adamu Garba of the Kofar Wanbai Authorities Division.
Trainee Dies in School Building Collapse
The second incident happened at the Khadija Idris Bala Islamiyya School, situated behind a main school in Kurna, Fagge Local Government Location.
According to the Fire Service, nine students were affected by the collapse. 8, aged between 12 and 15, were rescued by firefighters from the Kurna Fire Station.
The ninth victim, 14-year-old Khadija Muhammad, was rescued unconscious but was later confirmed dead.
The rescued students were consequently turned over to the school’s headmaster, Muhammad Gambo Usman.
The 2 events have renewed concerns over the safety and structural stability of buildings used for work and knowing, particularly as building failures can expose trainees, teachers and workers to preventable dangers.
The Reasons for Both Collapses Remain Under Examination
The Kano State Fire Service urged building owners, professionals and building workers to abide by approved structure requirements and observe security preventative measures, particularly during the rainy season.
“We advise members of the public to take building security seriously and make sure that proper standards are followed to avoid preventable death,” the agency said.
The Fire Service likewise encouraged residents to quickly report building-related emergency situations to allow emergency responders to act quickly and reduce casualties.
For universities, the incidents highlight the importance of regular structural evaluations, correct upkeep and strict compliance with building and safety guidelines to secure students, teachers and other members of the school community.