Trending 
Several brickmakers are feared to have died after a sand excavation site collapsed in Ridawa village, within Ghari Local Government Area of Kano State, on Wednesday.
The incident reportedly occurred as workers were digging a pit for local brick production. Eyewitnesses said the ground suddenly caved in, burying a number of labourers under large amounts of sand and debris.
The collapse sparked panic in the community, with residents and fellow workers rushing to the site in an urgent bid to rescue those trapped. Initial rescue attempts began immediately but were largely carried out using basic tools.
Sani Bala, who represents the Ghari/Tsanyawa Federal Constituency, confirmed that early reports indicate about 10 people may still be trapped underground, stressing the need for professional assistance.
“There is an immediate need for government agencies to step in with proper rescue equipment. Local efforts are ongoing, but they are not sufficient for a situation like this,” Bala said.
“Time is critical, and every moment counts in saving those still buried.”
At the time of reporting, emergency responders and villagers were continuing to dig through the debris in the hope of finding survivors. However, several individuals remained unaccounted for, raising fears that the death toll could rise.
Residents expressed concern over the repeated occurrence of such incidents, pointing out that informal brick-making activities in rural areas often operate without adequate safety measures or regulation.
“This is not the first time something like this has happened,” one resident said.
“People work in dangerous conditions without any protection, and incidents like this keep occurring.”
