Eleven people have lost their lives following a sand collapse at a block-molding site in Yar-doka Village, located in Damau District of Kubau Local Government Area, Kaduna State.
The Kaduna State Police Command verified the incident, which happened on Monday, through its spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, during a statement made to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Kaduna.
Hassan provided details of the incident, saying, “At about 1:45 p.m., information was received from the village head of Yar-doka, Alhaji Lawal Damau.” He further explained, “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.”
According to Hassan, those who died were engaged in work at the block-making site when the sand unexpectedly collapsed, trapping them beneath. Seven others who were wounded during the incident are currently undergoing medical treatment at the village’s primary health centre. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the collapse. Hassan noted that both local and state officials have been notified.
“The local government and state authorities had been informed, and further developments would be communicated as the investigation unfolds,” he said. Hassan emphasized the need for enforcing proper safety protocols at construction and excavation sites to avert such fatal incidents in the future.
“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, Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the deceased and those affected by this devastating tragedy,” he said.
