{UPDATED} One Dead, Three Rescued As Building Under Construction Collapses In Port Harcourt

 

One person was confirmed dead on Wednesday, while three others have been rescued following the collapse of a building under construction along Odili Road in Port Harcourt.

The incident occurred less than 48 hours after another building collapse was reported in the Iwofe area of Rivers State, raising fresh concerns over construction safety and regulatory compliance in the state.

 

 

 

The building, which eyewitnesses described as either a proposed hotel or shopping complex, reportedly collapsed in the mid-morning hours on Wednesday, causing panic among residents and workers in the area.

 

 

 

Eyewitnesses said workers were inside the three-storey building when it suddenly gave way, trapping several persons beneath the rubble.

Rescue operations commenced immediately, with personnel from the Rivers State Police Command, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigerian Red Cross, and other emergency responders mobilised to the scene.

 

 

 

 

Speaking during the rescue operation, the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Rivers State Police Command, ACP Ikechukwu Okoro, said security agencies were promptly deployed after receiving information about the incident.

“We have been here since morning. The Commissioner of Police directed us to cordon off the area to prevent further casualties and ensure smooth rescue operations. So far, three persons have been rescued alive, though they sustained varying degrees of injuries. Unfortunately, one of the victims later died after being taken to the hospital,” he said.

ACP Okoro added that the area had been secured to prevent interference from onlookers and scavengers, stressing that the priority was to save lives and ensure public safety.

Val Onwumelu, popularly known as the “Instigator of Port Harcourt,” who deployed heavy-duty equipment to assist with the rescue operation, said his team responded after receiving reports that people were trapped beneath the collapsed structure.

“When we arrived, we could hear voices from within the debris. We carefully carried out excavation work with our engineers and successfully rescued two persons alive. Sadly, one casualty has been recorded,” he said.

Speaking on the incident, Emergency First Aid Coordinator, Red Cross, Port Harcourt, Yibotemeka Kalio, said the agency first conducted an assessment before deploying personnel to the scene.

He confirmed that several victims had been rescued while others were believed to remain trapped beneath the rubble.

“Our team is on the ground working with other emergency agencies to conduct search and rescue operations. Efforts are ongoing to ensure all victims are accounted for,” he said.

An eyewitness, identified as Emmanuel Okon, said the building collapsed in the morning while workers were carrying out construction activities.

Reacting to the incident, the Rivers State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Edward Hart, said officials of the ministry immediately visited the site to support rescue efforts after receiving reports of the collapse.

He noted that preliminary findings indicated the property was allocated by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), which also approved the building plan, and not the state government.

“The building that collapsed was approved by the Federal Housing Authority. However, as a responsible government, we responded immediately to support rescue efforts and assess the situation,” he said.

Hart attributed many building collapse incidents to non-compliance with approved building plans, the use of substandard materials, and the engagement of unqualified personnel.

“Some developers fail to comply with approved plans, while others exceed approved specifications. In some cases, substandard materials are used. These practices significantly increase the risk of structural failure,” he stated.

The commissioner assured residents that the ministry would intensify monitoring and inspection of construction sites across the state to prevent future occurrences.

He urged developers to strictly adhere to approved building plans and engage qualified professionals throughout the construction process.

“As long as developers follow approved plans, use quality materials, and employ qualified professionals, incidents like this can largely be avoided,” Hart said.

Meanwhile, rescue operations continued late into the day as emergency responders searched for additional victims feared trapped beneath the rubble.

 

 

 

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