Ellie Ames 17 May 2024

Council launches investigation after five-year-old dies in tower block fall

Council launches investigation after five-year-old dies in tower block fall image
Image: Google Maps

Newham Council will carry out an investigation following the death of a five-year-old boy who fell from a tower block of flats in east London on Thursday.

Aalim Makail fell from an upper floor of Jacobs House in New City Road, Plaistow, at around 6am on Thursday (16 May). He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Metropolitan Police said his death was not being treated as suspicious.

Newham Council chief executive Abi Gbago said: ‘Yesterday was a heartbreaking and tragic day for all concerned, and we are united both in our grief, and in our determination to ensure the family are fully supported.

‘We are undertaking a full investigation to reach the fullest possible understanding of what happened, and will fully support any other investigations.’

An anonymous resident of Jacobs House told the BBC the windows were of poor quality and that their design on high floors meant they were not safe for children.

The resident said: ‘You can actually unlatch the windows in the living room, kitchen and one of the bedrooms wide open which is clearly not meant to be safe. If a latch does break, it will not close properly and it could blow wide open no matter what.’

It has also been reported that the boy's aunt claimed that his mother had complained to the council about the windows being unsafe.

A spokesperson for the Building Safety Regulator said: ‘We are engaging with the appropriate agencies to understand the facts.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Assistant Finance and Business Development Manager

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£38,976 - £49,365 per annum
Job Title
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Senior Occupational Health Advisor

Durham County Council
£44,075 to £48,226 p.a. (Grade 12) pay award pending
Due to increased service demand we have an exciting opportunity for an additional Senior Occupational Health Nurse to join our well-established in-hou Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
£35,412 - £39,152 / £40,777- £45,091 pro rata i.e. grade 9 pre progression/grade 11 post progression
We seek a full-time, permanent Social Worker who is calm under pressure and passionate about improving the lives of service users. WHAT IS INVOLVED? Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Young Person's Advisor

Durham County Council
Grade 8 - £32,597 - £36,363
X1 Young Person’s Advisor – Full-Time (Temporary for 12 months) An exciting opportunity has become available within the Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Sufficiency Support Officer

Durham County Council
£28,142 - £31,022
Do you want your work to make a real difference to the lives of children and young people in our care?   This is a brilliant opportunity to join a new Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner