Imo: Scores Injured, Family Rescued as Building Collapses

After a two-story structure under construction collapsed early Wednesday at Area 5 Extension in Umuguma, Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, nine people were rescued, including a family of seven, and injured persons were transferred to the hospital.

According to information available at the time of publication, the incident occurred at about 12:30 p.m.

Furthermore, trustworthy sources stated that when the building collapsed, pedestrians and neighbors heard the sound and raced in to begin a rescue effort, successfully rescuing the individuals with injuries.

The clearance of the rubble had not yet been completed at the time of filing this report, but the Owerri Capital Development Authority, OCDA, led by Chairman Francis Chukwu, stated that nine persons had been rescued and some had been taken to a hospital.

It was also gathered that some of the victims were bricklayers working on the site.

However, a father of seven children, with other family members, residing in the uncompleted building who gave his name as Eke Martins, who also confirmed the incident said he was able to escape but that one of his children was injured during the rescue operation.

Speaking, Matins, said: “This collapse happen around 12: 30 to 1 pm. I have seven children with others at the time when this incident happened so when the building collapsed five of my children were on the first floor and including second child was on the down floor.

“What we heard was a heavy sound and the building collapse. I thank God nobody died but one of my children was injured and was taken to the hospital where they are demanding N250,000. I am happy that nobody died.”

To this extent, the OCDA Chairman, Chukwu while sealing the collapse building also warned developers against using substandard materials said: “The owner and Engineer handling the building both of whom were not at the site at the time of the inspection have been asked to report to the Agency with immediate effect, at the same time we are developers against the use of substandard materials in building houses.

“We also inspected other buildings around the area and directed the owners to report to the Agency for recertification because the vibration of the collapsed building can pose some effects on the existing buildings.”

Source: vanguardngr.com