A TWO-STOREY BUILDING UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT EKEOYIBO MARKET, AMAWBIA, IN ANAMBRA STATE HAS COLLAPSED 05-07-24
By Sadiq Aminu A two-storey building under construction at Ekeoyibo Market, Amawbia, in Awka South local government area of Anambra state has collapsed.
The two storey building was said to be housing traders and shop owners before it collapsed.
Although, the casualty figure has not been officially ascertained, it was gathered that lives might have been lost in the incident and many were feared trapped under the rubbles.
An eyewitness, Mrs Elizabeth Okotie said the incident occurred at about 12 noon on Thursday, creating panic among some of the traders and residents in the area.
According to her, the two-storey building suddenly crumbled, burying numerous traders beneath the debris.
As of the time of filing this report, two persons had been rescued and rushed to Amawbia Maternity Home for urgent medical attention, but many more were believed to be trapped inside the wreckage.
Some traders who witnessed the incident blamed the disaster on substandard engineering work, alleging that the building’s structural integrity were compromised.
While some others blamed the collapse on the persistent rainfall since last week.
Meanwhile, rescue operation is currently ongoing, with emergency workers working tirelessly to search for survivors amidst the rubble.
The atmosphere at the market was tense, with onlookers anxiously waiting for information on the rescue of people feared trapped in the building.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in Anambra State, Mr Tochukwu Ikenga,who confirmed the development when contacted, said two victims had been rescued while operations were still ongoing to rescue more people.
He said that on the directives of the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations led operatives at the scene for on-the-spot assessment, the area has been cordoned off and rescue Operations were still ongoing.