Pains, Agony as Three-Storey Building Collapses in Anambra,Many Feared Dead
Collapsed building
A wave of pain and agony swept through Anambra State on Thursday as a three-storey building located behind the Anambra State House of Assembly, off Ekwueme in Okpuno, Awka North Local Government Area, suddenly collapsed. There are fears that many people may have died in the incident.
The building, which had four suspended floors and was still under construction, was reportedly at the roofing stage when it gave way abruptly at approximately 11:40 a.m.
According to eyewitnesses, the collapse threw residents and passersby into panic and chaos.
It was gathered that several occupants, particularly construction workers on site at the time, were trapped beneath the rubble.
Eyewitnesses at the scene described the collapse as sudden and without any prior warning signs.
The exact number of those trapped remains unknown as rescue operations are still ongoing.
The cause of the collapse and the total casualty figure have not yet been confirmed.
However, officials from the State Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and the Materials Testing Department are already on site investigating the cause.
Bystanders and passersby immediately initiated rescue efforts to save anyone who might be trapped under the debris. Unfortunately, rescue operations have been hindered by a lack of proper logistics and equipment, with excavators yet to arrive, limiting the effectiveness of the effort.
One eyewitness recounted, “The building collapsed this morning while some artisans were working on the roof. We heard a loud noise as the structure gave way. Government officials arrived shortly after, but rescue work had not started because they were waiting for excavators.”
Sir Victor Meju, Chairman of COREN-ERM Anambra State, provided further details, stating, “The building was actually five storeys tall, with the sixth floor under construction and at the roofing stage. It is a privately-owned property that was roofed only last Thursday.”
“Preliminary on-site investigations indicate a complete vertical collapse into rubble. Initial findings suggest that poor concrete mixing and possible foundation problems contributed to the failure. Relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Housing and the Awka Capital Territory Development Association, have been notified and are actively monitoring the situation while coordinating rescue efforts.”
When contacted for comment, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said he was not immediately aware of the incident but promised to make inquiries and provide updates as information becomes available.
Credit : Razor
