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ITODE AKARI
PORT HARCOURT — One person is feared dead while three others have been rescued alive following the collapse of a three-storey building under construction along Peter Odili Road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The building reportedly caved in on Tuesday afternoon, triggering panic among residents and passersby as construction workers were trapped beneath the rubble.
Eyewitnesses said the structure collapsed with a loud noise, drawing the attention of residents who rushed to the scene and immediately commenced rescue efforts.
The residents used manual tools and bare hands to pull out victims from the debris before excavators and emergency responders arrived to intensify the rescue operation.
Speaking at the scene, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr. Vincent Wachukwu, said emergency medical teams and ambulances were swiftly deployed following reports of the collapse.
He said officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Health, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other security agencies were also on ground to rescue the victims.
Wachukwu said, “We are here at Peter Odili Road following the disturbing news that a three-storey building collapsed.
“As a health team, we immediately mobilised ambulances and personnel to support the rescue operation.
“So far, three persons have been rescued from the rubble. They sustained varying degrees of injuries and have been rushed to the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital for treatment.
“We have also activated the hospital’s emergency response unit. The Head of the Emergency Department is already on ground, while NEMA, the Road Safety Corps, Civil Defence and other security agencies are all participating in the rescue efforts. All hands are on deck to ensure that anyone still trapped is rescued,” he said.
As of the time of filing this report, rescue operations were ongoing, while emergency responders continued searching through the debris for possible survivors.
The latest incident occurred barely 24 hours after another three-storey building under construction collapsed along Slaughter Road, off Iwofe Road in Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt.
Although no lives were lost in the earlier collapse, construction workers reportedly escaped moments before the structure gave way.
