A two-story building under construction at the Eke Amawbia market in Awka, Anambra State, collapsed on Thursday, potentially trapping traders and shop owners beneath the rubble.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, eyewitnesses reported that the building crumbled at noon, causing panic in the area.
The eyewitnesses said the two-storey building suddenly crumbled, burying numerous traders beneath the debris.
As of the time of filing this report, one person had been rescued and rushed to Amawbia Maternity Home for urgent medical attention, but many more are believed to be trapped inside the wreckage.
Some police officers have arrived at the scene to coordinate rescue efforts and maintain order.
Traders who witnessed the collapse blamed the disaster on substandard engineering work, alleging that the building’s structural integrity had been compromised.
While some others blamed the collapse on the persistent rainfall since last week.
The spokesman for the state police command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the development when contacted, saying two victims have been rescued and rescue operations are still ongoing.
Meanwhile, rescue operations are currently ongoing, with emergency responders working to search for survivors amidst the rubble.
