One person has been confirmed dead in a three-storey building that collapsed around Road B, Federal Housing Estate, Trans-Amadi Industrial Area of Dr. Peter Odili Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
It was gathered that two other victims were rescued alive and moved to the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), Port Harcourt, for treatment, while over five persons are suspected to still be trapped in the rubble of the building.
One of the construction workers who pleaded anonymity and who narrowly escaped the accident, said they were warned by the engineer handling the project that a particular section of the building would collapse.
“The engineer came here this morning and said this section of the building will collapse today. It wasn’t up to five minutes after the engineer left the site, the building collapsed. It didn’t collapse at once, it was gradual.
“One of the two workers who were taken to the hospital wouldn’t have been trapped if he had listened to us. We were calling him to come out but he refused. He thought we were calling him for another thing.
“Some Hausa boys who usually come around to pick firewood from the site are also trapped inside,” he said.
Speaking with journalists at the scene of the incident, the Permanent Secretary Designate, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr. Vincent Wachuku, said they are working tirelessly to ensure that all those who were still trapped there are rescued.
He said: “We are here at Peter Odili Road following disturbing news that a three-storey building collapsed around here. That is why we are here and you can see what is happening in the background. We got this information and as a health team, we had to quickly mobilise the ambulances and as much personnel as possible to come for the rescue.
“So far we have been able to rescue two persons that were severely injured and they have been rushed to Rivers State University Teaching Hospital. Of course, we have already activated the hospital and they are there waiting; the emergency medical services is there.
“Everybody is here, NEMA is here, FRSC is here, NSCDC is here. In fact, all the security agencies are here. All hands are on deck to ensure that people that are still trapped there are rescued.”