An inquest into the death of five-year-old Aalim Ahmed, who fell from a 15th-floor window, has heard that additional measures could have made the flat safer. Aalim, who was autistic, died after falling from a kitchen window at a residential block in Plaistow, east London, on 16 May 2024.
His father, Makail Ahmed, discovered his body shortly before 6am. The family had previously complained about the Newham council accommodation and had requested to be moved, the court was told.
Nnenna Muoma, a Newham council property manager, told East London coroner’s court that she believed "more restricted features could have been installed" after visiting the family on the day of the incident. She noted that the kitchen window, while functional, could be operated by a child.
Aalim's parents, Makail Ahmed and Sahra Osman, have described their son's death as "preventable" and have attributed blame to Newham council, citing multiple reports of safety concerns about the flat. Osman told the court she was "scared" and "horrified" when the council placed them in the top-floor flat, which required repairs, due to her son's "no sense of danger."
Newham council has stated it will not comment until the inquest concludes. The hearing is ongoing.