Several brickmakers are feared dead after a sand excavation site caved in at Ridawa village in Kano State on Wednesday, trapping workers beneath debris.
The incident occurred in Ghari Local Government Area while labourers were digging a pit for local brick production.
Eyewitnesses said the excavation suddenly collapsed, burying multiple workers under heavy sand.
The development sparked panic across the community, as residents and co-workers rushed to the scene in an attempt to rescue those trapped.
Initial rescue efforts were carried out using crude tools, slowing progress in reaching victims.
A member of the House of Representatives, Sani Bala, who represents the Ghari/Tsanyawa Federal Constituency, confirmed that early reports indicate that about 10 persons may still be buried under the rubble.
He called for urgent intervention by relevant authorities.
According to him, the scale of the incident requires professional rescue equipment and trained emergency responders, noting that local efforts alone may not be sufficient to save those still trapped.
As of the time of filing this report, emergency teams and villagers continued digging through the collapsed site in search of survivors.
However, several individuals remain unaccounted for, raising fears that the death toll could rise.
Residents also expressed concern over the recurring nature of such accidents, blaming unsafe working conditions common in informal brick-making operations across rural communities.
One local resident lamented that such incidents have become frequent, citing poor safety measures and lack of regulatory oversight as major factors contributing to the tragedies.
