A three-year-old child has died after being crushed by a collapsing wall during the demolition of a house in Khainga Village, Bunyala South Ward, Budalang’i Constituency, Busia County.
The child was reportedly near the building when the wall came down, trapping them beneath the debris in the tragic incident.
Confirming the incident, Bunyala Sub-County Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD) Isaac Kemuge said the child's father was demolishing a house that was no longer in use when the structure collapsed.
Kemuge said the father was reportedly unaware that the child was close to the building as he carried out the demolition.
The falling wall struck the child, leaving them trapped beneath the rubble. The incident prompted efforts to remove the child from the debris and get medical assistance.
According to the police commander, attempts to administer first aid after the child was pulled from the rubble were unsuccessful.
The child later succumbed to the injuries sustained in the incident, leaving the family and residents of Khainga Village mourning the loss.
The body was subsequently taken to the Port Victoria Hospital mortuary, where it was preserved as investigations into the incident continued.
Police have confirmed that inquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the wall collapse and the events leading to the child's death.
The incident has drawn attention to the dangers associated with demolishing old or unused buildings, particularly when people are within the vicinity of the structures being brought down.
Demolition work involves the removal of walls and other sections of buildings, which can become unstable and collapse, posing a danger to anyone nearby.
In this case, the child was reportedly close to the house when the demolition was taking place, although the father is said not to have known of the child's presence.
The tragedy also highlights the importance of ensuring that children and other people are kept away from buildings during demolition activities to reduce the risk of accidental injuries.
Authorities are expected to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident as investigations continue.
Meanwhile, the child's body remains at the Port Victoria Hospital mortuary as the family awaits further procedures.
The incident has left the village grieving following the loss of the young child in an accident that occurred during the demolition of a house that was no longer in use.
