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SPOTLIGHTS
- The building collapse occurred on Friday morning
- Five workers were trapped and killed
- The cause of the collapse is unknown
- Local officials expressed condolences and pledged support
- A House of Representatives member called the incident a tragedy for the community
From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Five people were confirmed dead over the weekend following the collapse of a three-storey building under construction in Obingwu-Asa, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.
The building, which had been under construction for several months and had reached the roofing stage, collapsed on Friday morning. Six workers had arrived to begin roofing that day.
One worker had reportedly left to buy food, while the remaining five were carrying roofing sheets and planks from the basement to the top floor in preparation for the day’s work.
Suddenly, before the worker who had gone to buy food could return, the building collapsed, trapping the five workers inside.
Rescue efforts to clear the debris and reach the trapped workers lasted several hours. Sadly, all five were confirmed dead and their remains were taken to a local morgue.
Speaking on the incident, the deputy president general of non-indigenes in the area, Tony Anaekwe, expressed surprise at the building’s collapse.
“Before the incident, there was no defect, no sign the building would collapse as there were no cracks on the wall,” he said.
Anaekwe commended the Abia State Government and the Mayor of Ukwa West Local Government Area, Newman Azu, for their swift response in recovering the victims.
House of Representatives member representing Ukwa West and East Federal Constituency, Chris Nkwonta, expressed his condolences to the people of Obingwu-Asa, the Ukwa West Local Government Area, and the families of the victims, describing the event as an unfortunate tragedy.
Nkwonta said he was saddened by the incident, which claimed five lives, adding that the building collapse was yet another tragedy to befall the people of Asa.
