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Mother ‘complained about dangerous window’ before 5-year-old son fell to his death

The mother of a boy who fell to his death from the window of his 15th-floor apartment building has complained to the safety board repeatedly, according to his family.

Aalim Makial Jibril, 5, threw himself 150 meters from a kitchen window – which can apparently be opened to full extension at the push of a button – in Jacobs House on New City Road, Plaistow, east London, just time before 6:00 a.m. Thursday.

A fundraiser at a local mosque has so far raised more than £650.

The boy’s aunt, Maryan Hadafow, said her Arsenal-mad nephew, who was a pupil at New City Primary School, died after waking up early for school and falling while his family slept.

Accompanied by Alam’s grandmother, Maryan recounted Sun.: “He went to the kitchen and opened the window. He got up early to go to school. He was a nice boy.”

Maryan added: “His mother complained to Newham Council about this window.

“She sent five emails about how they were being opened and said they weren’t safe for her children but no one did anything.”

Floral tributes left outside Jacobs House in Plaistow, east London (Samuel Montgomery/PA Wire)

Teachers from New City Primary School came to the scene to leave floral tributes to the “popular” pupil.

A school statement sent to The Independent said: “Aalim was a handsome, happy and caring boy who really liked school and was popular with all his friends. He was much loved by his family and all the staff at New City.

“This is a terrible tragedy and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this sad time.”

Ansert Davis, who lives in Jacobs House, said he saw the boy’s father after the tragedy.

“I just ran and tried to talk to the father but he is inconsolable,” he said.

Mr Davis said the boy’s mother was “upset” and saw another neighbor running to help.

“He came running, took one look at the child and came back shaking,” he added.

Visibly moved, he added: ‘I can still see the image in my head. It’s so sad, I have a grandson that age. God, it’s like seeing your own children.”

A spokesman for the family’s Masjid Ibrahim & Islamic Center (MIIC) offered their “deepest condolences and sympathy” after launching a fundraiser to support them.

He said The Independent: “The family was in temporary accommodation and both parents are completely devastated by the accident. The unfortunate incident once again highlighted the difficult conditions in which vulnerable families find themselves.

“The community came together not only to mourn the life of a young man needlessly cut short, but also to support the two distraught parents and each other in these trying times.

“We urge the authorities to support the affected family in any way possible and hope they will not be left alone.”

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

“What they have gone through with the loss of Aalim, their child, is truly devastating and they will need time and space to mourn such a terrible loss.

“We are carrying out a full investigation to reach the fullest possible understanding of what happened and will fully support any further investigations. Once all relevant facts are established and investigations are concluded, which we will do as quickly as possible, we will provide an update.”

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