Enugu: Many trapped as four-storey building collapses

Several people are feared trapped after a four-storey building under construction collapsed at Independence Layout, Enugu State, on Sunday morning.

The building, located at No. 1 Ogbaguru Street, opposite St Patrick’s Hospital, was reportedly being developed as a hotel when part of the structure suddenly caved in at about 8am.

Construction workers were said to be inside the uncompleted building when the collapse occurred, sparking frantic efforts by residents and passersby to rescue those believed to be trapped beneath the rubble.

As of the time of filing this report, rescue operations were ongoing at the scene, with officials of the Enugu State Fire Service and the Enugu State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) at the site.

The rescue effort was being hampered by the huge volume of debris, with calls for an excavator and other heavy-duty equipment to speed up the operation.

An eyewitness who filmed the scene said he arrived about 30 minutes after the building collapsed and was told that people were still trapped inside.

“People are still inside. Look at the collapsed side. Half or part of the building,” he said, while showing the damaged portion of the structure.

The eyewitness later moved into part of the building in an attempt to ascertain whether anyone trapped underneath could be heard. He also appealed to the authorities to provide an excavator to assist the rescue operation.

He said some of the trapped persons were believed to be alive, while locals were using available tools to cut through metal rods and remove debris.

“They are still alive and we are praying that nothing will press down the lumps of blocks, concrete and all that,” he said.

A man identified as Bruce, who appeared to have escaped from the building, was also seen at the scene. The eyewitness warned him against remaining close to the unstable structure, fearing that another section could collapse.

The incident reportedly affected the premises of the nearby St Patrick’s Hospital, with debris falling towards the hospital and damaging some vehicles parked there.

There were also concerns about electrical hazards, as roofing materials and other parts of the collapsed structure were said to have become entangled with electric wires.

“If it is still on, it is dangerous,” the eyewitness warned, calling for electricity to be disconnected around the area to protect rescuers, residents and other people at the scene.

The collapse attracted a large crowd of residents and passersby, many of whom joined the rescue efforts.

The cause of the collapse was not immediately known as of the time of filing this report.