Contrary to earlier reports, five persons is believed to be
trapped in the rubble of an uncompleted four-storey building that
collapsed on Monday in Onitsha, Anambra.
The News Agency
of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the building, which collapsed at about
1:00pm., is part of a structure being erected for a primary school at
St. Christopher’s Anglican Church, Odo-akpu, Onitsha.
According to an eyewitness, the collapsed building may have trapped at least five workers plastering its interior.
“The
ill-fated building was meant to serve as classroom blocks for pupils of
St. Christopher’s Primary school,” he said, adding that it was near
completion.
One of the teachers at St Christopher’s Primary
school, who did not want to be named, told reporters that the building
collapsed few minutes after the bell signalled the end of break time.
“This
building has been where our children play during break time, but as God
will have it, shortly after we rang the bell to order them back to
their classes the building collapsed,” she said.
Emeka Okafor,
Executive Assistant to Governor on Political Liaison Office for Onitsha
South Constituency, described the incident as unfortunate.
“We
have notified construction companies in Onitsha and it would not be long
before they arrive with their earth-moving vehicle,” he assured.
Mrs
Ann Chukwuneke, Chairperson, Onitsha South local government Council,
said that efforts were ongoing to rescue the trapped workers.
“I am here now, and I am not leaving until it is clear to me that nobody is trapped in there.”
Senior
officials of the Police and Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, who
were on ground at the scene, refused to talk with journalists, saying
only the church authorities and eyewitnesses could give account of the
incident.
As at the time of compiling this report, it was gathered
that one of the trapped workers, although feared dead, was excavated
from the rubble of the collapsed building.
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