At least eight people were feared dead when a one-storey building collapsed in the Kuntau area of Gwale Local Government Area, Kano State.
The incident occurred early Friday morning while labourers were working on the construction site.
Sources from the area reported that at least 15 individuals, including the building owner, were trapped when the structure gave way.
The owner, referred to as Sharu, was constructing the new storey to attach to his existing home. It was said that some of the people trapped were passerby who had sought shelter from the rain.
Upon hearing the news, Sharu’s wife reportedly rushed to the site, crying for help. Neighbours and passersby quickly mobilised to rescue those trapped under the rubble.
It was learnt that seven people were rushed to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, and one person died on the way.
A staff member of the Kano Fire Service, who sought anonymity, confirmed that the building trapped 15 people, with seven fatalities reported so far.
Buses from the Kano State Fire Service, along with police personnel from the Dorayi Division, left the area around 7:30pm to ensure no one remained trapped in the building and as a precautionary measure.
Preliminary reports suggested that the collapse was due to the use of substandard building materials. Efforts to reach the Kano State Fire Service’s public relations officer were unsuccessful.
