ONE DIES AS 2–STOREY BUILDING COLLAPSES IN ANAMBRA MARKET

REPORTERS: KEVIN EKEDIEGWU & UCHE NDEKE

One person has reportedly died when a two-storey building under construction at Ekeoyibo Market, Amawbia, in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State 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 a huge man and father of four, who was earlier rescued and taken to a nearby maternity centre later gave up the ghost.

An eyewitness (name withheld), who lives in the same compound with the man, said he greeted the man around 11am as the man set out to purchase some kilos of beef in the market, where he met his untimely death.

There are fears that more lives might have been lost in the incident as many were feared trapped under the rubbles.

Another eyewitness, Mrs. Elizabeth Okotie, said the incident occurred around noon on Thursday, creating panic among some of the traders and residents in the area.

According to Mrs. Okorie, the two-storey building suddenly crumbled, burying numerous traders beneath the debris.

As of the time of filing this report, one more person had been rescued and rushed to Amawbia Maternity Home for urgent medical attention.

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.

Another respondent, who pleaded anonymity, alleged that the building was originally designed as a bungalow but was later reinforced for a two-storey.

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.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Command, 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, Mr. Nnaghe Obono Itam, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, had led operatives to the scene for on-the-spot assessment.

Mr. Ikenga said the area had been cordoned off for a smooth rescue operation.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU