2 confirmed dead, 2 others rescued in Kano sand pit collapse

At least two people have been confirmed dead, while two others were rescued alive after a sand pit collapsed at Ridawa village in Ghari Local Government Area of Kano State on Wednesday.   They were trapped while excavating sand used for building houses in the area.   About seven people were said to be in the pit […]

At least two people have been confirmed dead, while two others were rescued alive after a sand pit collapsed at Ridawa village in Ghari Local Government Area of Kano State on Wednesday.  

They were trapped while excavating sand used for building houses in the area.  

About seven people were said to be in the pit when it collapsed. Three managed to escape unhurt, while four others were trapped until they were eventually rescued.  

It was gathered that the incident happened around 10:30am on Wednesday and the rescue mission continued until around 5:30pm. Some of the rescued victims spent nearly six hours under the rubble.  

Those rescued alive are Bala Umaru Maidawa and Abdulhadi Lawan, while Abdussalam Sani and Shamsu Maharazu lost their lives.  

Locals said this is the first time they have witnessed such an incident, despite using the pit for decades as one of the primary sources of sand for moulding mud blocks and building houses in Ridawa and neighbouring villages.  

Ridawa lies about 100 kilometres north of Kano and is one of the border communities adjoining Katsina State.  

Daily Trust learned that the pit usually fills with water during the rainy season, but serves as a source of sand for construction once the rains recede in the dry season.  

Malam Isah, the Village Head of Ridawa village, confirmed that four people were trapped inside the collapsed pit, contrary to earlier reports suggesting higher casualties.  

He explained that the four victims were all men engaged in mining sand.

“People massively mobilised themselves before government rescue agencies arrived. We spent more than six hours trying to rescue them.

“Two were rescued alive, two others were found dead. We used local tools such as shovels and hoes to dig through the sand and remove people from under the rubble,” he said.  

He commended the efforts of both the community and government officials, especially the Ghari Divisional Police Officer, who joined the rescue operation with his personnel.  

 

I spent 6 hours under debris – Rescued survivor

Zakariya Umar, one of the two survivors, narrated his harrowing experience. He said he was buried for almost six hours and had nearly given up hope before being rescued.  

“We were seven when the collapse happened. The sand covered all my body except my head, but nobody could see me.

“I was trapped since around 10:40am and only rescued around 5:30pm. It was dark and hot under the sand. I prayed and could hear those digging, but they couldn’t hear me,” he said.  

 

My late son packed sand for living – Victim’s father

Malam Sani, father of the late Abdussalam, said his son earned a living by transporting sand from the pit to nearby villages using his cattle truck.  

“I was preparing a local hut when I was told my son had been trapped. I rushed there immediately, but I was advised to come back home due to my age and since youths are trying to rescue them thew. Later, I was informed he had died.

“He usually packed sand for people using his cattle truck as his means of livelihood,” he said.  

The grieving father added that Abdussalam was 32 years old and is survived by his wife and two children.  

Basiru Musa, one of the eyewitnesses who took part in the rescue operation, said the pit had been used for decades without incident.  

“When the collapse happened, four people were trapped. We never thought we could find anyone alive, but Allah destined that two would be rescued.

“One of those who died had his neck and head broken. The second survivor was thought dead too, only to be found alive,” he said.