Over 20 workers narrowly escaped death today when a two-storey building under construction on Daily Independent Street, Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Government Area, Delta State, collapsed.
The collapse occurred during the early morning downpour in the area.
Daily Independent Street, which is opposite Asaba Airport and leads to Vanguard Newspapers Press and the Nigeria Police Station (former SARS office), was thrown into panic on Saturday morning.
It was gathered that some of the trapped workers have been rescued, while the search for others continues.
One of the workers at the scene, who pleaded anonymity, said that some workers were injured while jumping from the second floor to avoid being trapped, although some escaped unhurt.
He stated that the injured victims were rushed to the hospital for medical treatment.
“The workers have all deserted the site, while the site engineer is said to have fled to avoid arrest and the anger of the residents,” the worker added.
One of the victims, who was trapped inside the rubble, called from inside, and the rescue team luckily located him and others.
The estate management team is on the scene, coordinating rescue efforts alongside the electricity task force, which has ordered the disconnection of power to the site.
At the time of reporting, the state government has yet to release an official statement regarding the cause of the collapse or the total number of individuals affected by the incident.
When newsmen contacted the Commissioner for Housing, Delta State, Hon Godknows Agele, he did not respond to calls or messages.
Meanwhile, an official of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), who identified himself as John, said they are on the ground.
“Our men are on the ground to assist in the rescue mission,” he added.
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