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.’

Skills Pipelines: What local government needs to know image

Skills Pipelines: What local government needs to know

Councils and mayors are to be handed a central role in developing skills pipelines for local industries, as the Government unveils what it calls a ‘fundamental change’ to the education system aimed at tackling youth unemployment. Here's what council leaders and officers need to know.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Erase Assistant Team Manager

Durham County Council
Grade 10 £38,220 - £41,771
Are you passionate about improving outcomes for teenagers at risk of exploitation, missing episodes and harm outside the home?   Durham Children's Ser Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Active Travel Connectivity Officer

Durham County Council
Career Graded 8 - 10 - G8 £32,597 - £36,363 / G9 £35,412 - £39,152 / G10 £38,220 - £41,771
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Active Travel Connectivity Officer within our Sustainable Travel and Advertising Team, supporting the delive Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Headteacher

Durham County Council
£75,049- £86,803
Permanent Contract, Full Time Required to start January 2027. N.O.R. 349 (including Nursery)   Are you an exciting, dynamic and outstanding leader wit Seaham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Executive Director for Place

Wokingham Borough Council
£148,609 per annum, plus benefits
As our Executive Director for Place, you will lead an outward looking and forward-thinking place-shaping agenda. Wokingham, Berkshire
Recuriter: Wokingham Borough Council

Service Director

South Gloucestershire Council
£100,289 to £109,445 per annum
South Gloucestershire is changing things for good. Gloucestershire
Recuriter: South Gloucestershire Council
Linkedin Banner