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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Disasters & Emergencies

One dead, many trapped as Rivers five-storey building crumbles

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • A five-storey building under construction collapsed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, killing one person and trapping several others.
  • Rescue operations are ongoing, with fears for victims including the site engineer and a food vendor trapped in the rubble.
  • Eyewitnesses suggest substandard materials and unauthorized floor additions may have caused the collapse, while authorities investigate.

Tragedy struck in Port Harcourt on Wednesday morning as a five-storey building under construction collapsed, resulting in at least one death and an unknown number of people trapped beneath the debris. Rescue efforts were underway late into the evening, with emergency services working to reach victims, including a site engineer and a woman selling food to construction workers.

The approval was for a three-storey hotel building. But when the owner saw that the work was progressing, he decided to add two more floors.

— Anonymous residentAn eyewitness alleging the building was expanded beyond its original approval.

Rescuers reported hearing the food vendor calling for help from within the rubble, intensifying efforts to reach her. The deceased was identified as a construction worker who was struck by a falling pillar. His body was recovered, drawing emotional reactions from onlookers. Four injured individuals were rescued and taken to the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital.

I learnt the initial engineer objected to the modification and resigned. Another engineer was then brought in to continue the project. Unfortunately, this is what has happened.

— Anonymous residentAn eyewitness detailing alleged engineering disputes related to the building's expansion.

Eyewitnesses have pointed to the use of substandard building materials as a potential cause for the collapse. One resident, speaking anonymously, alleged that the building's approval was initially for three floors, but the owner expanded it to five. This modification allegedly led to the resignation of the initial engineer, with a new one brought in to continue the project.

This morning, I went outside to buy something. About eight people were working inside the building at the time. Some of them are Hausa workers.

— Taiwo OladimejiA survivor describing the number of workers present when the building collapsed.

Authorities have cordoned off the area to facilitate rescue operations. Personnel from various state and federal emergency agencies are involved in the extensive effort, with floodlights arranged to support nighttime work. A mason who survived the collapse stated that at least eight workers were inside when the structure gave way, and his brother is among those trapped.

My brother was i

— Taiwo OladimejiA survivor expressing distress over his trapped brother.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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