Two individuals were reportedly trapped inside a three-story building that collapsed on Tuesday evening in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State.
The collapsed building is situated within the premises of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki.
During a search and rescue operation, one person was rescued and promptly rushed to the hospital for medical treatment, while another person remains trapped inside the collapsed structure.
One of the laborers who managed to escape from the collapsed building recounted his escape, stating that he was able to avoid the disaster because he had gone to wash his hands.
“I was loading a bag of stones, and the owner of the house was here with me, telling me to pack it very well. He had already finished paying us.
“It was gathered that only one person, who is dumb, was trapped inside, and he is still there as of the time of filling this report. One other person who was rescued has been rushed to the hospital.
“The building did not give any sign that it was about to collapse. I was lucky because my tools were inside. I just said let me wash my hands here before I go inside the building to collect my tools,” he narrated.
Spokesperson for the Ebonyi State Police Command, DSP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed that operatives, officials from the state Ministry of Works, and Capital Development Authority workers are still present, attempting to rescue the trapped labourer.
However, later in the evening, the second person was also rescued and taken to the hospital.
