Posted by By Desmond Mgboh, Kano on
No less than 150 persons narrowly escaped death at the weekend in Kano, when a three storey building currently under construction suddenly collapsed a few minutes to the end of the day's task, just as the labourers at the site were winding up for the day.
No less than 150 persons narrowly escaped death at the weekend in Kano, when a three storey building currently under construction suddenly collapsed a few minutes to the end of the day's task, just as the labourers at the site were winding up for the day.
The tragedy which occurred at the structure situated at the Farm Centre layout near Marhaba Cinema in Kano metropolis is said to belong to a popular building materials company in the state.
A source close to rescue workers from the Nigerian Red Cross team, however, confirmed that no fewer than 20 persons were currently receiving medical attention at the Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital in the state.
Although the actual cause of the disaster is yet to be ascertained, an eye witness said that the building callapsed while the labourers were about to close for the day's task adding that it would have been catastrophic if it had occurred while the workers were at work.
The State Commissioner of Land, Alhaji Yakubu Ali Al-Bashir confirmed that some people sustained serious injuries and were taken to the hospital for medical care.
The State Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, (NSE) Engr. Ali Rabiu expressed fear that some persons may still be trapped under the structure adding that the building has been reduced to rubbles.
Engineer Rabiu said that he has already directed a regulation committee of the NSE to make some preliminary investigations into the course of the collapse, assuring that his association would sanction those behind the collapsed structure.
Spokesman to the Nigeria Police Force in the state, Superintendent Baba Mohammed confirmed the tragedy and said that the police rescued 20 persons so far, adding that no life was lost.