4 trapped in Anambra building collapse

Four persons were reportedly trapped inside the debris of a building that collapsed in Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The two-storey building in Oko is under construction when it collapsed.

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Similarly, another two-storey building also reportedly collapsed in Amikwo, Awka South Local Government Area of the state as over 20 persons were rescued.

An eyewitness, who preferred anonymity, said the Amikwo building, which collapsed around 2 am on Tuesday fell on part of an occupied nearby two-storey building.

The source said no life was lost in the incident.

When our correspondent visited the scene on Wednesday, the building had been sealed by officials of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA).

Reacting, the Managing Director of ACTDA, Ven Amaechi Okwuosa said the building, which had been under construction for the past ten years had been marked for demolition in 2018.

“Although the developer had commenced demolition of the building, but the right equipment was not used, hence the collapse,” he said

Okwuosa pledged the agency’s commitment towards ensuring the structural integrity of buildings done in the state capital territory.

The Executive Chairman of Anambra Physical Planning Board in Oko, Barrister Chike Maduekwe, blamed the incident on compromise on structural integrity.

He said the structure had since been sealed, while development partners had been invited for questioning.