By Hassan Suleman, Kano
A tragic scene unfolded in the Abedi Sabon Gari area of Fagge Local Government, Kano State, on Sunday evening as a three-storey uncompleted building collapsed, killing four people and injuring seven others.
The incident occurred around 6:49 p.m. following hours of intense rainfall, which residents say weakened the already unstable structure. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed the casualties on Monday after a lengthy overnight rescue effort.
Dr. Nuraddeen Abdullahi, Coordinator of NEMA’s Kano Territorial Office, said the agency received an alert shortly after the collapse and swiftly deployed a search and rescue team to the site in collaboration with local authorities and emergency responders.
"Eyewitnesses reported that several people, mostly seeking shelter from the rain, were inside the building when it gave way," Abdullahi stated. "Initially, two bodies were recovered and six injured victims were rescued. By early morning, the death toll rose to four, with seven confirmed injured."
The victims were immediately taken to nearby hospitals for medical attention. Emergency operations were concluded by dawn, and the site has been secured to prevent further harm.
Authorities say a full structural assessment will be carried out to determine the exact cause of the collapse and to assess the safety of surrounding buildings. Preliminary concerns point to poor construction practices and water damage.
The tragedy has reignited concerns over the safety of uncompleted and abandoned buildings across Kano, especially during the rainy season. Residents and civil groups are calling on government agencies to intensify inspections and enforce building standards more strictly.
As the community mourns the lives lost, the incident stands as a grim reminder of the dangers posed by neglected construction sites in vulnerable environments.
