One dead, several trapped as three-storey building collapses in Rivers State

One person is feared dead while some others are still trapped after the collapse of a three-storey building under construction on Wednesday in Port Harcourt along Peter Odili Road.

The building, which is in the posh part of the city, collapsed leaving workers and occupants trapped under the rubble.

Even though the cause of the collapse has not yet been known, witnesses have attributed the accident to structural problems.

The rescue teams on the ground have retrieved the lifeless body of an unidentified victim trapped under the rubble while efforts are continuing to rescue others that are still trapped.

The rescue operations are currently being carried out by the Rivers State Government, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, and the Federal Road Safety Corps.

One of the survivors at the scene of the accident, referred to as Taiwo, told journalists that not less than seven people were trapped after the collapse of the building.

According to him, Taiwo’s brother was one of the people trapped while about four people had already been rescued alive by 2 p.m. on Wednesday.

He stated, “This morning, I went out to buy something. About eight people were working inside, and they said some of them are Hausa people.

“One of my brothers was inside. Four of them were brought out. But other people are still inside (trapped).”

Police operatives and officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning, as well as the Ministry of Health, including the Acting Permanent Secretary, Dr Vincent Wachukwu, were sighted at the scene as rescue operations continued.

Speaking to newsmen at the scene, Wachukwu, who also serves as Director of Medical Services, said emergency responders had been mobilised immediately after reports of the incident.

He stated, “We are here on Peter Odili Road following disturbing news this morning that a three-storey building collapsed around here. So you can see what is happening in the background.

“We got this information and, as a health team, we had to quickly mobilise the ambulance team and as many personnel as possible to come for the rescue.

“So far, they have been able to rescue two persons who were severely injured, and they have been rushed to the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital.”

The Acting Permanent Secretary further said emergency services had been activated to ensure a swift response.

“We have also activated the Hospital Emergency Medical Services. They are at the hospital waiting. The Emergency Unit of RSUTH is also there.

“In fact, I have seen the Head of the Emergency Unit of RSUTH here. Everybody is here. NEMA, FRSC, and the NSCDC are all here. All the security agencies are here, and all hands are on deck to ensure that people who are still trapped are rescued,” Wachukwu added.