One person was killed and several people were trapped in the debris after a five-story building that was still under construction fell along Odili Road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Wednesday morning.
Rescue efforts were still in progress as of 7:30 p.m., with victims thought to be trapped in the debris, including the site engineer and a woman who supplied meals to construction workers.
As efforts to reach the food vendor grew more intense, rescue personnel reported that they could still hear her pleading for assistance from beneath the debris.
The tragedy happened just three days after a three-story building in the Obio/Akpor Local Government region’s Iwofe neighborhood collapsed, albeit no injuries were reported in that region.
A collapsing pillar is said to have struck the deceased person in the head. Residents and onlookers who saw his body being recovered wept as he was hauled out of the wreckage lifeless.
Four patients were saved by Rivers State Emergency Medical Services personnel and taken to the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital for medical attention.
The deceased’s relatives, who were apparently from northern Nigeria, refused to allow government personnel to transport the body to a mortuary, claiming they would bury him themselves.
While the official cause of the collapse was still unknown, some observers attributed the disaster to the use of inferior building materials.
Authorities closed the Amadi Junction area leading to Odili Road in order to facilitate rescue efforts.
The facility was initially allowed as a three-story hotel, but it was later increased to five stories, according to an informed resident.
“A three-story hotel structure was approved. However, the owner chose to add two additional levels after observing that the work was moving forward.
“I found out that the original engineer resigned after objecting to the change. The project was then continued by another engineer. The source, who asked to remain anonymous, stated, “Unfortunately, this is what has happened.”
In the hopes that more trapped individuals would be discovered alive, rescue operations continued into the evening, with state officials setting up floodlights to bolster nocturnal attempts.
Personnel from the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, the Rivers State Government, and other emergency organizations participated in the operation.
At least eight people were trapped when the structure abruptly collapsed, according to survivor Taiwo Oladimeji, a mason who claimed he was transported from Lagos to work at the site.
Oladimeji, fighting back tears, claimed his sibling was still stuck in the debris.
I went outside this morning to make a purchase. At the time, the building employed about eight workers. There are Hausa laborers among them.
When it collapsed, my brother was inside. Others are still stuck, but four people have been saved alive,” he stated.
Rescue attempts were being coordinated at the scene by police officers and representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Rivers State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, and other organizations.
Dr. Vincent Wachukwu, the acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Director of Medical Services, told reporters that emergency personnel were sent in as soon as the situation became public.
“This morning, we learned that a building in this region had collapsed. We swiftly organized ambulances and medical staff as a health team to assist with rescue operations.
He stated, “So far, injured victims have been rescued and taken to the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital for treatment.”
Wachukwu further stated that in order to guarantee the victims’ timely care, emergency medical services had been engaged.
“The emergency team at the hospital is ready to go. The NSCDC, FRSC, NEMA, and other security organizations are present. He stated, “Everyone is cooperating to guarantee the rescue of those who are still trapped.”
In an attempt to find the victims, our correspondent saw three excavators removing debris from the scene.
Concerned family members and rescue personnel were also spotted looking through the debris and listening for any indications of life.
“Some of the workers were brought from Lagos,” stated a local. After a pillar struck his head, one of them perished.
“Voices from within were still audible.” When the structure fell, over ten workers were present, and some of them are still trapped.
Floodlights were used to continue the rescue effort as darkness fell.
According to Edward Hart, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, the incident highlighted the necessity of improved cooperation amongst building industry stakeholders.
He issued a warning, saying that illegal developments and projects that don’t adhere to permitted building regulations will continue to be suppressed by the state administration.
Hart revealed that although the Federal Housing Authority had approved the collapsed structure, the Rivers State urban development authorities had not.
In order to avert such catastrophes, he promised the locals that the ministry would step up its oversight of building projects throughout the state.
