Eleven childeren have died and several others injured after a sand heap collapsed in Yardoka community in Kaduna State.
The children, aged between four and nine, were excavating sand for making mud bricks when the pit caved in.
According to eyewitnesses, the children were working in a sand pit when the collapse occurred, trapping them beneath the rubble.
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Residents say the children were engaged in the activity as a form of contribution to their teacher’s housing project when the sand gave way, burying them underneath. Local efforts to rescue them were unsuccessful.
The victims have been identified as; Muntari Abdulkadir, Aliyu Abba, Ali Umar, Mubarak Haruna, Usain Isa, Yusuf Shafiu, Mujitafa Jibril, Yusha’u Saidu, Aliyu Abdu, Hamisu Mohammed, and Ali Abdulmomini. They hailed from Yardoka and surrounding communities in the Damau District.
Seven other individuals — Umar Dini, Jibir Surajo, Usman Abdulmomini, Sagir Hussaini, Naziru Abdullahi, Aminu Alkasim, and Kabiru Lawal — were rescued with varying degrees of injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the Primary Healthcare Centre in Yardoka.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan , confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Kaduna.
Hassan said the tragedy occurred on Monday, adding, ”At about 1:45 p.m., information was received from the village head of Yar-doka, Alhaji Lawal Damau.
“It was to the effect that sand had caved in at a local block site, resulting in the deaths of 11 individuals, with several others sustaining injuries.”
Hassan said that the victims were working at the block site when the sand suddenly gave way, burying them under its weight.
He said the seven injured persons were currently receiving treatment at the primary health centre in the village.
According to him, the cause of the incident is still under investigation, adding that the concerned authorities are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
“The local government and state authorities had been informed, and further developments would be communicated as the investigation unfolds.
“This tragic incident highlights the importance of ensuring that safety measures are put in place at construction sites to prevent such accidents in the future.
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“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the deceased and those affected by this devastating tragedy,” Hassan said.
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