Tragedy struck at Ochanja Market area of the Onitsha South local government area of Anambra State as a two-storey building collapsed, trapping numerous individuals underneath.
The incident occurred around 6 pm on Monday, leaving bystanders shocked and scrambling to assist those affected.
Mr. Paul Onuachalla, the Secretary of the Onitsha South Local Government Area, confirmed the distressing event, highlighting that many individuals remained trapped under the rubble as of Tuesday morning.
Witnesses reported hearing ominous noises before the building’s sudden collapse, indicating a potential structural failure.
Efforts to ascertain the exact number of people trapped are ongoing as rescue teams work tirelessly to extricate survivors from the wreckage.
In response to the disaster, the council has swiftly established a seven-member Committee of Enquiry tasked with investigating both the immediate and underlying causes of the building collapse.
The Committee comprises a diverse team of professionals, including a police officer, a building engineer, and other relevant experts from the construction industry.
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Their inquiry aims to shed light on the circumstances leading to the tragic incident and to prevent similar disasters in the future.
“We want to first of all sympathize with the victims of the building collapse yesterday, and as I speak with you, the Onitsha South local government Emergency Management Agency is working hand in gloves with the Anambra State Fire Service and the Health Department to ensure safe rescue of victims and provide medical assistance.
“This incident is simply an act of sabotage on the part of some traders who, instead of following the due process and Building Code, chose to compromise the law and undertake the project themselves.
“The Council is setting up a seven-man Committee of Enquiry to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the building collapse, and the committee’s membership would include police personnel, a building engineer, and other relevant bodies in the sector.
“But this also goes to vindicate the Onitsha South local government council about our strict compliance with the Building Code and other relevant laws guiding the construction of permanent structures in the area.”
“We as a government have made spirited efforts to ensure that the rules of Building Codes are respected, but some sections of the public see it as witch hunting or targeting them; this time no defaulter would be speared,” he added.
