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

Director of Adult Social Care

Stoke-on-Trent City Council
£111,136 -£116,521
Stoke-on-Trent is an ambitious council, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
Recuriter: Stoke-on-Trent City Council

Programme Director for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Suffolk County Council
£110,100 - £121,785 per annum
In Suffolk, we’re reimagining what local government can achieve. Suffolk
Recuriter: Suffolk County Council

Social Work Assistant

Durham County Council
Grade 6 £28,142 - £31,022
We are looking to appoint a Social Work Assistant to work within the Easington Locality.   The team provides an effective and efficient Assessment and Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Social Worker For People with Dual Sensory Loss

Durham County Council
Grade 9 - Pre Progression (£35,412 - £39,152) - Grade 11 - Post Progression (£40,777 - £45,091)
Do you have experience of working with people who have dual sensory loss?  Are you a Social Worker or a Visual Impaired Rehabilitation Worker?   We ha Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Community Wellbeing Assistant

Durham County Council
£26,403 - £28,598
Temporary until March 2028 - 30 hour post  Wellbing Sport and Leisure are looking for a Wellbeing Assistant to join their team in the East and West o Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner