3 die, 4 injured as building under construction collapses

From Lateef Dada, Osogbo

Tragedy struck late Friday night in Owode-Ede, Osun State, as a two-storey shopping complex under construction collapsed, killing three people and injuring four others.

The victims were tiling apprentices who were sleeping inside the building to resume work early the next morning. Their supervisor was reportedly absent.

Osun State Commandant of the Federal Fire Service, Femi Isaac, while confirming the incident, said the agency received a distress call from the Divisional Police Officer of ‘A’ Division around 11:00 p.m. on Friday and deployed rescue personnel.

“Three people died and their bodies have been deposited at the mortuary, while five were rescued alive and taken to a private hospital in Ede. Four sustained serious injuries, with fractures in their legs and hands. Only one person, who stayed up late, escaped unhurt,” Isaac said.

Preliminary findings revealed the workers had noticed structural weaknesses. The most senior apprentice told rescuers he had warned his colleagues against sleeping on the upper floor shortly before the collapse.

Joint rescue operations were carried out by the Federal Fire Service, the Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Residents reported hearing a deafening sound before 11 p.m. A resident, John, said: “It’s a two-storey structure. Three bodies were recovered from the rubble and several others were injured. Those affected were sleeping inside the building.”

Authorities confirmed the building owner, who lives near the site, was present during rescue operations.