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PORT HARCOURT —There was panic on Monday afternoon along Slaughter Road, off Iwofe Road in Rumuolumeni, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, after a three-storey building under construction partially collapsed.
The incident, which occurred around 11 a.m., sent shockwaves through the neighbourhood as residents rushed out in confusion following a loud, thunderous sound from the site.
A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity with DAILY INDEPENDENT described the moment as terrifying, saying the noise of the collapse rattled the entire area.
“We were not expecting anything like that. It came as a shock to everyone. I was inside the house when I heard a very loud sound.
“At first, I thought it was rain, but when I stepped outside, I saw that the three-storey building had collapsed,” the resident said.
The resident further confirmed that no casualties were recorded in the incident, adding that workers escaped from the building at the nick of time after hearing a cracking sound.
“We thank God that nobody died. It happened around 11 a.m., and students were already in school nearby.
“Workers were on site, but I believe they heard a cracking sound and quickly ran out. It was as though they sensed danger and escaped for their lives,” she added.
Our correspondent, who visited the site, observed that the premises had been sealed off by officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development after the incident.
