On Thursday, a two-storey building under construction, housing traders and shop owners collapsed at the Eke Amawbia market in Awka, the Anambra State capital.
While the official casualty figure remains unconfirmed, there are fears that lives may have been lost, and many are believed to be trapped under the rubble. Eyewitnesses reported that the incident occurred around noon, causing widespread panic among traders and residents.
“The building suddenly crumbled, burying numerous traders beneath the debris,” one eyewitness recounted.
As of the time of this report, one person has been rescued and rushed to Amawbia Maternity Home for urgent medical attention. However, many more are feared trapped inside the wreckage. Police officers have arrived to coordinate rescue efforts and maintain order.
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Traders who witnessed the collapse blamed the disaster on substandard engineering work, alleging that the building’s structural integrity had been compromised. Others attributed the collapse to persistent rainfall since last week.
The spokesman for the state police command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident and stated that two victims have been rescued, with rescue operations still ongoing. Emergency responders are diligently working to search for survivors amidst the rubble.
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The atmosphere at the market is tense, with onlookers anxiously awaiting news of the rescue efforts.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, prompting calls for an investigation into the cause of the collapse.