From Emmanuel Uzor, Awka
A two-storey building housing shops, under construction, at the Eke Amawbia market, Anambra State, collapsed yesterday, leaving many dead and others trapped in the rubble.
Daily Sun gathered that the building collapsed at approximately 12 noon, yesterday, striking fears into the hearts of traders and residents in the area.
Witnesses said the ill-fated two-storey shop building suddenly crumbled and buried numerous vegetable traders beneath the debris.
As of press time, one person had been rescued and rushed to the Amawbia Maternity Home for urgent medical attention, but many more were believed to still be trapped inside the wreckage.
A large contingent of police officers had arrived at the scene to coordinate rescue efforts and maintain order as various rescue teams battled to salvage the situation. Traders who witnessed the collapse blamed the disaster on substandard engineering work, alleging that the buildingâs structural integrity had been compromised.
The rescue operation was ongoing, with emergency responders working tirelessly in search of survivors amidst the rubble. The atmosphere at the market was tense, with onlookers anxiously waiting for news about their loved ones feared trapped under the rubbles of the collapsed building. The incident has sent shockwaves across the community, with many calling for an investigation into the cause of the collapse.
The Anambra State government was yet to comment on the incident at the time of this report, but promised to release a statement soon. As the rescue efforts continued, the death toll remained uncertain, but fears kept mounting that the tragedy may have claimed multiple lives.
The Amawbia market, a bustling commercial hub, has been plunged into mourning, with traders and residents struggling to come to terms with the devastating loss. However, the Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the incident and disclosed that the command had, in response to a distress call about a building collapse at Ekeoyibo market, cordoned off the scene and rescued two victims who were taken to the hospital for medical care.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, in a statement, said: âMeanwhile, on the directives of the Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations led operatives at the scene for on-the-spot assessment, and the area has been cordoned off and rescued operations are still ongoingâ.
