One Dead, Five Trapped In Birnin Kebbi Rice Mill Collapse

At least one worker has been confirmed dead, while five others were trapped on Tuesday evening after a section of a private rice mill collapsed in Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi State capital.

Emergency responders battled to reach the victims buried beneath twisted metal and debris from the collapsed structure.

The Kebbi State Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, led a government delegation to the scene for an on-the-spot assessment and assured that all necessary efforts were being made to rescue those still trapped.

“We are here to first assess the situation and, more importantly, to ensure that every possible effort is made to rescue those still trapped. The safety of workers is paramount, and the government will remain fully engaged until this operation is concluded,” Tafida said.

The state government expressed sympathy with the management and staff of NIA-AGRI, owners of the facility, describing the incident as tragic.

A project engineer at the site informed the delegation that one staff member died instantly, while five others were believed to be trapped beneath the collapsed structure as of Tuesday night.

A joint rescue team comprising the Kebbi State Fire Service and other emergency responders has been deployed to the scene, using heavy-duty equipment to cut through the rubble in a bid to locate and rescue survivors.

A senior emergency official said the operation was being handled with caution to prevent further casualties.

“The rescue operation is delicate, but our teams are doing everything possible to reach those trapped without causing further harm,” the official told Punch.

The cause of the collapse has yet to be determined. Tafida said the state government would launch a full investigation after the rescue operation to ascertain the cause of the incident and prevent a recurrence.

The deputy governor assured that the state government would support affected families and provide necessary assistance.

“We pray for the safety of those still trapped and extend our condolences to the family of the deceased,” he said.