Rescue operations are ongoing following the collapse of a building under construction on Beirut road, one of the busiest business areas in Kano. Many are feared trapped in the rubble.
Although the voices of the victims could be heard, some of the persons inside the building could not be rescued because there was no available equipment at the time.
“We just called his number and he is picking calls. Only that there is no way for him to escape,” one of the witnesses said.
Meanwhile, a member of the rescue team who got to the scene early, said an excavator was on its way to the scene to assist with rescue operations.
Two more people were rescued from the building bringing the number of rescued victims to three. They were all rushed to a hospital.
One of the volunteers, who participated in the rescue operation, said many people including women and children are still in the building. He added that when they noticed that the building had developed some cracks, they informed the builders who reportedly assured them nothing would happen.
“Even the equipment they are bringing cannot do anything. We have alerted them (the builders) since and this is the second time but nothing was done,” he added.
Among the rescue teams at the scene are officials of the Fire Service, Road Safety, police and the State Emergency management Agency (SEMA).