Kano, Nigeria – A tragic incident occurred in Kano, Nigeria, on Tuesday, when a multiple-story building collapsed, resulting in the death of a 35-year-old woman.
According to the local fire service, the building, which was under construction, had the ground floor occupied when the collapse happened. The incident took place at the Beirut GSM market, a popular location for shops selling mobile phones and related accessories.
“The building was under construction but the ground floor was occupied,” said Nura Abdullahi, the local coordinator for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
The rescue operation was swift, with three excavators on the scene assisting in the effort. So far, eight people have been rescued from the rubble, including the 35-year-old woman who was declared dead at a local hospital. [1] Six others were taken to the hospital and later released, while one person remains in critical condition.
Building collapses are a worrying occurrence in Nigeria, with several similar incidents reported in recent years. In November 2022, at least five people were killed when a multi-story building collapsed in the capital, Lagos. [1] In 2019, the collapse of two separate buildings in Lagos, including one housing a school, left dozens of people dead.
Experts have warned that more than 1,000 buildings in Lagos are at risk of collapsing, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement of building safety regulations and better maintenance practices.
The Kano State government has expressed its condolences to the family of the deceased and has vowed to investigate the cause of the collapse. Authorities have also urged schools and other buildings facing similar structural issues to shut down immediately to prevent further tragedies.
