Five people have died, and 10 others were rescued following two separate building collapses in Kumbotso and Fagge Local Government Areas of Kano State.
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.
This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Fire Service, ACFO Saminu Abdullahi.
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.
“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.
“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.
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.
The second collapse occurred at an Islamiyya school, known as Khadija Idris Bala, behind the primary school in Kurna, Fagge Local Government Area.
“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.
“The ninth victim, 14-year-old Khadija Muhammad, was rescued unconscious but was later confirmed dead.
“The victims were subsequently handed over to the school headmaster, Muhammad Gambo Usman,” the statement added.
The causes of both collapses are currently under investigation.
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.
“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.
The agency also advised residents to promptly report building-related emergencies to enable firefighters to respond quickly and minimise casualties.
