In a tragic incident on Tuesday evening, a three-storey building under construction collapsed in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State, trapping two persons inside. The building, situated within the premises of the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, came down without warning, initiating a frantic search and rescue operation.
Rescue teams swiftly moved into action, and amidst the rubble, they managed to pull one person out. The individual was immediately rushed to the hospital for urgent medical attention. However, another person remained trapped beneath the debris. This incident has caused significant concern among the local community and highlighted potential safety lapses in building constructions in the area.
According to eyewitnesses and laborers working on the site, the collapse occurred unexpectedly. One laborer, who narrowly escaped, recounted his experience. “I was loading a bag of stones, and the owner of the house was with me, supervising the work. He had just finished paying us for the day,” he said. The laborer explained his narrow escape, attributing it to a fortunate decision to wash his hands. “The building gave no sign that it was about to collapse. My tools were inside, and I just thought to wash my hands before going back in to collect them. That decision saved my life.”
In the immediate aftermath, it was discovered that only one person, a mute individual, was still trapped inside the collapsed structure. The rescue teams, comprising police operatives and officials from the Ebonyi State Ministry of Works and Capital Development Authority, worked tirelessly to free the trapped laborer. DSP Joshua Ukandu, the spokesperson for the Ebonyi Police, confirmed the ongoing efforts via a chat, emphasizing that the rescue mission was in full swing.
The rescue operation extended into the night, and thankfully, the second trapped person was eventually rescued and also taken to the hospital for treatment. This outcome provided a glimmer of hope amid the tragedy, but it also raised questions about the structural integrity and safety protocols of buildings under construction in the region.
The incident has drawn attention to the urgent need for stringent safety measures and regular inspections of construction sites to prevent such occurrences in the future. As investigations continue, the local authorities are expected to scrutinize the circumstances leading to the collapse and ensure accountability.
This event underscores the critical importance of adhering to safety standards in construction to protect the lives of workers and the general public. The community hopes that lessons learned from this incident will lead to improved regulations and oversight, ensuring such tragedies do not recur.
