Four-storey building collapses in Onitsha

 

No fewer than five persons may have been trapped in the rubble of an uncompleted four-storey building that collapsed on Monday in Onitsha, Anambra.

The building, which collapsed at about 1:00 p.m., is part of a structure being erected at St. Christopher’s Anglican Church, Odo-akpu, Onitsha.

According to an eyewitness, the collapsed building may have trapped more than five workers plastering its interior.
“The ill-fated building was meant to serve as classroom blocks for pupils of St. Christopher’s Primary school,” he said, adding that it was near completion,


One of the teachers at St Christopher’s Primary school, who did not want to be named told NAN that the building collapsed few minutes after the bell signalled the end of break time.

“This building has been where our children play during break time, but as God will have it, shortly after we rang the bell to order them back to their classes the building collapsed,” she said.
Emeka Okafor, Executive Assistant to Governor on Political Liaison Office for Onitsha South Constituency, described the incident as unfortunate.

“We have notified construction companies in Onitsha and it would not be long before they arrive with their earth-moving vehicle,” he assured.

Mrs Ann Chukwuneke, Chairperson, Onitsha South local government Council, said that efforts were ongoing to rescue the trapped workers.

“I am here now, and I am not leaving until it is clear to me that nobody is trapped in there.”
Efforts made to speak to senior officials of the Police and Federal Road Safety Commission, who were on ground at the scene, proved abortive.

They said that only the church authorities and eyewitnesses could give a vivid account of the incident.
NAN reports that one of the trapped workers, although feared dead, was excavated from the rubble with the time of filing this report.